Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_07_14_2020

TUESDAY 14th July, 2020

' No.106060

GECOM Chair must uphold Constitution SEE PAGE 04

GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

…declare results submitted by the CEO ..APNU+AFC says CCJ judgement knocks down recount order

‘CEO acted lawfully’ PAGE

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…Alexander says strict law allows for 10 regional declarations

Region One new 10 COVID-19 epicentre PAGE

---as cases continue to climb

Seizure of contraband led to prison riot 05 PAGE

…eight suspects identified

Supporters of the APNUAFC coalition held protest in Georgetown, Linden and Essequibo, on Monday, calling on GECOM to declare the results of the elections using the report of the Chief Elections Officer, which gave the incumbent victory (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

‘CEO acted based on strict law’

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…Alexander says in relation to Lowenfield’s latest elections report

By Svetlana Marshall CHIEF Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield’s resort to the 10 declarations to compile his report is based on “strict law”, longstanding Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission Vincent Alexander has said.

Lowenfield on Saturday submitted his Elections Report to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), showing a win for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC). The Elections Report, the third of its kind since the conduct of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, was submitted to the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh on Saturday at around 11:00hrs by the Chief Elections Officer. It is reflective of the declarations made in March 2020 by the Returning Officers in the country’s 10 Electoral Districts.

According to the Elections Report, there were a total of 475,118 valid votes cast at the General and Regional Elections, and of that number, the APNU+AFC secured 236,777 votes, while the PPP/C raked in 229,330.

A New and United Guyana (ANUG) received 2,275 votes; Change Guyana, 2,026 votes; Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), 2,569 votes; People’s Republic Party (PRP), 862 votes; The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), 680 votes; The New Movement (TNM), 246 votes; and the United Republican Party (URP), 353 votes. There were a total of 3,997 rejected ballots.

with the Electoral Laws of the country.

Lowenfield, in a letter to the GECOM Chair July 10, had said that the judgment of CCJ ruled out the notion that

Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander

Based on the valid votes cast in favour of the Lists of Candidates that contested the elections, the APNU+AFC was allocated 33 seats; the PPP/C, 31; and the Joined Lists – ANUG, LJP, TNM – one seat in the National Assembly. The National Assembly has 65 seats.

In submitting his Elections Report, the Chief Elections Officer told the GECOM Chair his Report was consistent with Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution, and the Elections Laws governing the country. “It is my understanding that Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution affords the technical officer the right to advise the Chairman of the elections result that ought to be declared. In this regard, I have prepared and submitted the results of the General and Regional Elections, in accordance with my statutory and constitutional duties and all applicable laws,” Lowen-

field said in a signed letter to Justice Singh.

JUDGE-LIKE MANNER Speaking with reporters following a meeting of the Commission on Monday, Alexander reported: “In a judge-like manner, the Chairperson reverted to the 16th June, and has once again instructed the CEO to prepare a report in keeping with the results of the recount, and has given him up to tomorrow (July 14) to make the submission. If in any circumstance he does not make that submission, she has already decided that the task will be given to the DCEO.” Given the fact that Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution mandates that the Presidential Candidate with the most votes could only be declared President by the Chairman of the Elections Commission, “acting only in accordance with the advice of

the Chief Elections Officer,” it is unclear whether Justice Singh will terminate the services of Lowenfield, if he fails to comply, to allow for Myers to assume his position.

The PPP/C and its allies have been pushing for Lowenfield to be fired.

While the GECOM Chair and the Opposition-nominated Commissioners are pushing for a declaration of the results, based on the National Recount, Alexander said if one should analyse the CCJ’s ruling, he or she would agree that the Elections Commission created a new electoral regime under the Recount Order for which the Court ruled should not occur.

According to Alexander, though Lowenfield was “silent” for the most part of the meeting, he explained that his decision to submit an Elections Report based on the 10 Declarations made in March was in accordance

by statutory officers and 2) the allocation of seats is premised on the statutory report of the Returning Officers.”

Alexander said the Chief Elections Officer’s

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

the Elections Commission could determine the credibility of the Elections. On that basis, he said Order No. 60, the legal instrument used to trigger the National Recount, could not be executed in its entirety. The primary objective of the National Recount was to determine a final credible count as provided for in Order No. 60.

Further, Lowenfield sought clarity on the request for another Elections Report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act. “Kindly provide guidance on how Section 96 (1) of the ROPA could be properly operationalised,” the Chief Elections Officer asked, while noting that “of particular relevance are two facts: 1) that the election law envisages that “the votes counted, and information furnished” would be provided

decision to revert to the 10 Declarations was based on “strict law”. “If you look at strict law, the 10 declarations have not been contested. The only issue in the past, which was placed before the 10 declaration was the issue of content; that issue no longer exists, and there has been no legal action that question those 10 declarations. So, procedurally, those 10 declarations are available for the purpose of determining an election result,” Alexander pointed out. However, given that the elections have been marred by a host of irregularities and thousands of cases of voter impersonation, which were unearthed during the recount, Alexander told reporters that the better option would be to nullify the elections.

Keep an eye out for mischief --- Ramjattan requests public help during tense election period MINISTER of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has urged members of the public to keep an eye out for persons seeking to destroy the country’s national landmarks or other properties and to make reports to the police if they have knowledge that such plans are afoot.

His request came on Monday during a press briefing pertaining to the recent

fire at the Lusignan Prison, but the minister also addressed the attempt by an unknown man to torch the Umana Yana on Sunday. The act comes as great concern to authorities as, in September 2014, the Umana Yana was gutted by a fire believed to be of electrical origin and was later rebuilt with modern features in 2015.

“We have asked all Disciplined Forces and we are

also asking members of the public to have an eye out on all of these mischief-makers who they can then inform the police about,” Ramjattan requested.

“That can help. We just cannot have our 4,000 or 5,000 policemen all across the country just looking after public infrastructure, that requires the help of the citizenry too and whatever information that the citizenry

has in relation to potential arson, potential destruction of buildings, malicious damage to property; we would like to hear from them.”

Reports coming out of the attempted arson indicate that a female rank of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was on duty when she observed a man scaling the north-eastern fence of the compound with what appeared to be a bottle in his hand.

The man was subsequently seen running to the western side of the building where he set the lower branches to the roof of the Umana Yana on fire. The constable, in an attempt to apprehend the man, ran in his direction and subsequently used a fire extinguisher to put out the small flames. However, the suspect made good his escape on foot in the eastern direction away from the building.

The attempted arson follows the successful torching of well-known Journalist

Travis Chase’s car and the attempted arson at the Suddie Magistrates’ Court last week where arsonists had set fire to the magistrates’ desk and chair.

Ramjattan said: “The actual security forces are on very high alert and that has been since elections time.

Elections have not been completed, we are almost there and, to that extent then, we would just urge members of the public to help in that regard.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

CSEC/CAPE students grateful for extra time to study …confident of churning out top performances

By Tamica Garnett SOME see the glass half-full and some see it half-empty, so while some students may be nervous about writing their Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) off schedule, others are grateful for the extra preparations time that having the exams postponed by some two months afforded them.

Though CSEC and CAPE exams are customarily written annually by secondary school students in May/June, earlier this year, the decision was taken by the administering body, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), to have the 2020 examinations postponed as they assessed the situation after the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping across the Caribbean in early March.

Many students admitted that they were initially concerned about being unsure of when the examinations would be held, but they were nonetheless glad for just a bit more time to do a little more studying, and be even more prepared for the exams.

However, that additional time was not without its challenges,

Striking a pose for the camera after Theatre Arts lessons are, from left, Andrica Coates, Riley Chandler, Andrew Ceasar and Roheim Haynes, all of the South Ruimveldt Secondary School (Photos by Elvin Croker)

given the conditions that the COVID-19 situation created.

“I felt relieved to have gotten some extra time to prepare for the exams, but the quarantining meant no school, and no school meant no teaching, and that was difficult,” shared 18-year-old Alicia Meyer, a Lower Six student at the St. Rose’s High School.

Alicia is preparing to write six units at CAPE, and noted that filling the gap left by the school closure was its own strain at times. After the first cases of COVID-19 in Guyana on March 11, schools were closed indefinitely as part of measures to stem the spread of the virus.

“The challenge for me was

a bit financial; because teachers weren’t teaching much, I had to pay for tutoring and private lessons, so it was harsh on my parents’ pocket, especially given that no one is working due to the COVID-19,” Meyers related.

Meyers does believe, however, that it was worth it, as she heads into her examinations as prepared as she could ever be.

Her first examination is Physics and it is being held today.

Sharing Myers sentiments is her classmate Shacquelle Wilson, who does not believe he was as ready as he could be, if the exams were held in their scheduled May/ June slot.

“I was at ease, since I believed I was not fully prepared to tackle these exams. In addition, I welcomed the decision [to postpone the exams], since I was fearful of contracting the [COVID-19] virus,” Wilson said.

Following the announcement that national exams would go on

in July, schools were partially reopened to allow those students writing the exams access to their teachers at schools.

Wilson, like many students, said that he does have some concerns about the possibility of students spreading the virus amongst each other as they came out for the exams, and safety measures put in place to guard against the spread of the virus during the time at school.

However, after being at school for a few weeks, many of the students have felt reassured of the measures that have been implemented.

“I think the schools they put enough measures in place,” said 16-year-old Gavin Miranjie of St. Joseph High, who is writing nine subjects.

Measures implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to safeguard against the spread of the coronavirus include the

18-year-old Alicia Meyer, is winding down her final days of studying as she prepares to write 5 units at the CAPE exams

setting up of hand-washing sinks at the entrance of all schools; the testing of temperatures as each student enters the compound; and the arrangement of seats in the classroom at least 6 feet apart.

Miranjie was also happy with the extra time he was afforded following the postponement of the exams. He was able to get a little more support from his teachers even while he was at home, which enabled him to really put in a lot more studying.

“I was kind of glad that I got more time to study. I’m kind of confident going into the exams, because the teachers have been working with us on the Zoom app,” Gavin shared.

Though the exam officially started on Monday, not all of the students were out, as the exam started with assessments in foreign languages, music and sociology in the morning session, and Biology Paper 3 for private

students in the afternoon sessions.

As the week progresses, however, most of the students are expected to be out with the sitting of the Paper 2 for Mathematics, English A on Tuesday. With her hopes of one day becoming a Mathematics teacher, 16-year-old Reanna Sealey from Covent Garden Secondary is looking forward to her Mathematics exams, and is really hopeful of doing well in that subject.

Sealey is scheduled to write five subjects at CSEC. During the time at home, she did have a hard time continuing her studies, while not getting the kind of assistance she needed from her teachers, but she made the best of what she could do while at home.

“I went on Online Tutoring and some Online sites, and it helped me a lot, because I learned new things and was able to apply them,” Sealey shared.

GECOM chair must uphold Constitution' ...APNUAFC says CCJ judgement knocks down recount order

Tuesday,July 14 , 2020–– 12:30hrs & 14:00

In her quest to bring the electoral impasse to an end, the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh must uphold the Constitution of Guyana – the supreme law of the Law, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has said.

In referencing to the landmark judgement of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali v Eslyn David case, the APNU+AFC reminded that as the supreme law, all arms of state, whether legislative, judicial, or executive, are subject to the normative, enabling, and limiting jurisdictions, powers, and responsibilities that are constitutionally legitimate.

In its ruling, the CCJ, while acknowledging the aim of the Recount Order – Order No. 60 – noted that order ought not contradict the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The CCJ stated: “The Court also notes that an Order issued by GECOM in any particular context can never determine how the Constitution

is to be interpreted. It is a matter of elementary constitutional law that if ordinary legislation is in tension with the Constitution, then the courts must give precedence to the words of the Constitution and not the other way around. With respect, the notion that Order 60 could either impact interpretation of the Constitution or create a new election regime at variance with the plain words of the Constitution is constitutionally unacceptable.”

The APNU+AFC believes that the Order created a new electoral regime, and as such is not in keeping with the Constitution. On that basis, it argued that the votes tabulated during the National Recount cannot be used to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections.

The ruling coalition submitted that to request of the Chief Elections Officer to submit an Elections Report contrary to the Constitution could result in unconstitutional act.

Further, the coalition alluded to the fact that the CCJ, in its judgement, reinforced that the Representation of the People Act is the applicable frame-

work for elections in Guyana.

Paragraph 37 of the CCJ’s ruling stated: “The Presidential candidate on the list for which more votes have been cast than any other list is deemed to be elected as President, and the Chairman of GECOM must so declare.

Both the allocation of seats in the National Assembly and the identification of the successful Presidential candidate are determined on the sole basis of votes counted and information furnished by returning officers under the Representation of the People Act.”

The recount process did not provide information furnished by Returning Officers.

In fact, it was regular staff of GECOM that facilitated the National Recount, involved “the bending” of the electoral laws, including the Representation of the People Act that dictates what constitutes a “valid vote.”

The party in support of its position, alluded to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution which explains how elections results must be declared: “where there are two or more Presidential candidates, if more votes are cast in favour of the list in

which a person is designated as Presidential candidate than in favour of any other list, that Presidential candidate shall be deemed to be elected as President and shall be so declared by the Chairman of the Elections Commission acting only in accordance with the advice of the Chief Election Officer, after such advice has been tendered to the Elections Commission at a duly summoned meeting.”

Against this background, the coalition is resolute in its position that the GECOM Chair must act in full accordance with the Constitution and the judgement of the CCJ. On July 9, 2020, Justice Singh requested that the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield submits an Elections Commission based on the National Recount, however, on the 11th July, the CEO reverted to the first set of declarations made by the Returning Officers, on the basis that the CCJ said the declaration must be made based on information from the Returning Officers and in accordance with the Act and Constitution.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Seizure of contraband led to prison riot

…eight suspects identified

By Tamica Garnett IT was a combination of the seizure of contraband, and a confrontation between a prisoner and a prison warder that led to the rioting and eventual fire at the Lusignan Prisons on Sunday, where the building was completely destroyed, causing the relocation of the 284 prisoners that were housed there.The prisoners have since been relocated to various facilities across the country.

This was explained by Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels at a press conference on Monday. Held at the Ministry of Public Security office, Samuels was joined at the press conference by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Public Security Permanent Secretary Danielle McCalmon.

As he detailed how Sunday’s events unfolded, Samuels said he wanted to clarify that the incident did not involve a prison-wide search, but just the search of one prisoner. “Around 11:55hrs, I was informed that there was a discovery of a quantity of contraband: Two parcels of cannabis, a bottle with rum and a cell phone. It was not a search conducted; an officer observed the prisoner with the parcel and searched the prisoner,” Samuels explained.

“The Prisoner was being questioned; unfortunately, at the same time a prisoner who works in the kitchen had a confrontation with a prisoner officer. It was brought to my attention that the prisoner was assaulted by one of the officers and escorted to the prison yard, where he was again assaulted,” Samuels further related. It was while the allegedly assaulted pris-

oner was in the yard that other prisoners began to demand that the seized contraband be returned, if the guards wanted them to calm down. As the items were not returned, the prisoners began to destroy the building, and subsequently set it alight.

“It was mostly a wooden structure in existence for a number of years, so the fire quickly spread, despite prompt response. The fire was not contained, but we were able to save a part of the admin building,” Samuels related. Samuels said that it is common for prisoners to be let out of the prison walls, and that it is during these moments that prisoners try to smuggle items back into the prisons.

However, over the past few months, following the appointment of Senior Superintendent Alexander Hopkinson as Officer-in-Charge of the Prison, seizures of items have increased, stymying contraband supply in the prisons.

CONTRABAND DROUGHT The lack of contraband in the prisons may have been frustrating prisoners more than usual. “It was clearly overheard that prisoners said there is a drought in the prison as relates to contraband,” Samuels pointed out.

The prison guard involved in the confrontation has since been removed to avoid further agitation at the prison. However, Samuels stressed that the circumstances under which the prisoner was assaulted is still under investigation, as he was made to understand that the prisoner may have been attacking and threatening the prison guards at the time.

Samuels also highlighted

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels (left) joined by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Public Security Permanent Secretary, Danielle McCalmon (Adrian Narine photo)

that he wished to clarify that there was no political intention behind the rioting and fire at the prison. However, as the situation gained attention, some prisoners may have taken the opportunity to make particular remarks.

“At the onset of incident, there was no indication that it had any political motive behind it; during the process of the fire, however, prisoners were heard hurling certain remarks,” Samuels related Eleven prisoners suffered minor injuries during the situation, of which number nine were treated by doctors at the facility, while the other two, including the prisoner who was in the confrontation with the prison officers, were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further treatment. The two prisoners have since been treated and returned to detention. Responding to queries about gunshots being heard as the prisoners

were being moved, Samuels relayed that while no prisoners were shot at, at varying times warning shots were fired into the air to quell the prisoners as situations arose.

“In order to keep prisoners from exiting the back gate, officers discharged shots. At front gate, a round was discharged to restore some amount of calm, after we implemented a system to spot-search the prisoners going into the holding bay, and a number of the prisoners were in possession of knives and cutlasses,” Samuels noted.

Samuels said one particular prisoner in possession of “a brand new ‘22’ cutlass in his waist” was refusing to hand over the tool, which resulted in the firing of a warning shot, subsequent to which the prisoner handed it over. Though there were no

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escapes, Samuels noted that it was not for the want of trying, as some prisoners did make attempts to escape, however the concerted Joint Services effort that was effected as the situation unfolded was able to ensure the prisoners remained contained.

As the relevant Joint Services protocol was activated on Sunday, several units from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) were sent to the scene. Given that the situation has calmed down, the presence of the GDF units have since been removed from the location, however some amount of assistance from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) remains on the ground to aid the GPS guards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Youth and nation-building

WITH approximately two-thirds of its population being 40 years and under, Guyana has a wealth of human capital to tap into and propel the nation’s growth and development. The continuous, high levels of unemployment and under-employment hinder this progression, and therefore require deliberative thinking and action. Harnessing our human capital for production and productivity requires having policies and programmes that can be accessed by all across the country. The failure of previous governments to implement a national development policy that includes programmes for youth continues to adversely impact the people and the country’s development. Those who have not left are hoping to leave; depend on the benevolence of loved ones overseas to supplement their incomes; live with their parents; struggle to make ends meet, or turn to a life of crime. Our nation’s growth and development require working to avoid the aforementioned. Present

programmes such as the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and a promised National Youth Policy are laudable and deserve to be expanded through learning and benefiting from the past, looking at the opportunities presented in the world today, thinking big, and acting outside the box.

Major-General (ret’d) Joe Singh offered interesting perspectives on a new form of national service, which can contribute to alleviating the unemployment crisis. Guyana has vast forests; it should not only be seen as offering eco-tourism and economic opportunities for foreign businesses; but to be policed, peopled, and developed for the benefit people’s benefi. The young can be tapped into to meet these goals. The forest creates work opportunities for those who are willing and able to work. The presence of a legitimate workforce protects our land from drug trafficking, destruction of the forest, and illegal entry. The threat to our borders can be managed by creat-

ing opportunities for the young to solidify our boundaries, such as effective border patrols. In order for Guyana to be competitive and relevant in the 21st century, we need to prepare our youth to get caught up, starting now; or we can fall way behind in comparison to other countries. The best way of doing this is investing in our people, which means that we need to invest in the current and upcoming generations. The youth remain our best and greatest resource. Their potential is limitless, because they are more informed and more educated, but need guidance and a sense of purpose. It is at this stage in human growth that people are very optimistic, progressive, and have limitless energy. Also, with the inherent, less emotional attachment to a specific means -- job or career -- they tend to take greater risks and are also more entrepreneurially-minded. There are, in the world, more millionaires and billionaires under 30 years old than ever in human history. We

are in the technological age, which allows the individual to flourish; unlike the industrial era, which allowed industries and companies to flourish. In the information age, we have an exponential increase of access to wealth and information; there are no boundaries, borders or time limits to making money.

The young generation has been brought up and built for this age.

Guyana has the resources and land space to be a rich country, which requires focus with the aim of living up to our potential of being the breadbasket of the Caribbean.

We have everything that we need, but what we need to do is invest in the raw talent that is being left idle or underutilised, and exported to countries to aid the development of other lands. People are never too young to learn. The more persons are deprived of mentorship and leadership opportunities, the more errors we will have, given that that generation will be ill-equipped to govern. If this generation of leadership does not allow the next

generation to develop in the ranks of leadership, our country will have a void of leadership in the next generation. The consequences borne from not being given opportunities to develop in the leadership ranks will mean that, with the lack, the young will suffer in terms of preparation for what the future holds for them: when the time comes, persons would be incapable of performing. Mentorship to take over leadership means preparation to lead, and this reduces the chances of leadership being placed in bad hands. The father whose son was shot to death while entering another man’s premises called for attention to be paid to the young to assist them in leading a productive life away from crime. This father’s call brings attention to the cliché that the devil finds work for idle hands. When the young have nothing to do, they will make only bad choices; thus, keeping them preoccupied allows them to use their efforts and energies productively.

The U.S. and its western allies have in a major way shaped Guyana elections Dear Editor, THIS letter is a response to the growing demand by coalition supporters for an explanation of the U.S. policy in the present electoral crisis. It is also written to explain my contention that the U.S. policy is linked to the imperative of President Donald Trump’s re-election bid in November.

The U.S. and its western allies have in a major way shaped Guyana’s elections and politics and our independence struggle took place in the Cold War period with the PNC in the USA’s camp and the PPP in the USSR’s sphere. Since Guyana is in the American

“back yard,” the U.S. had encouraged rigged elections against the PPP that resulted in 28 years of PNC rule which ended in 1992 with the intervention of the former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

The 1992 elections took place at the end of the Cold War and in this new situation, the USSR and its ally the PPP were not now viewed as a threat in the U.S. backyard.

The U.S. Congress and government subsequently tied U.S. economic aid to free and fair elections. This change in policy lead to 23 years of PPP/C rule (1992 to 2015), supported by the U.S. and its western allies.

Guyana’s new embrace of free and fair elections did not result in the end of

rigged elections; instead, we experienced refined forms of rigging by the PPP/C. Given the ethnic demographics that favour the PPP/C and the apparently new international standards, irregularities and fraud are now not enough to change the logic of the vote.

This allowed the PPP/C to rig composition of the parliament until 2015.

The U.S. and its ABC allies claim that they played a role in convincing the PPP/C ‘s leadership to concede defeat in the 2015 elections, which that party claimed was rigged against it. If one accepts this position, it can be argued that the U.S. and the ABC countries involvement in our elections since 1992, while not perfect, was an

attempt at a balance between the major parties, and by extension the African and Indian communities.

However, the March 2 General and Regional Elections presented a change as demonstrated at the Region Four tabulations and their (ABC countries) subsequent flexing of muscles characterised by “ regime change.” They are no longer independent arbitrators. The U.S. and its allies’ position that they are defending democracy and the rule of law is itself selfserving, particularly after an agreement was reached among President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Chairman of GECOM and

CARICOM on a recount and verification process. The modalities were spelt out in the gazetted order. No amount of hiding behind the CARICOM report and the CCJ ruling can negate this fact.

The country had embraced the recount/ verification process with a large degree of hope, since on the surface it appears to be fair to each of the contending sides of the political divide.

In short, the recount of ballots satisfies the PPP/C and its supporters, while verification of the ballots satisfies the APNU+AFC and its supporters. This approach potentially provided us to have a confirmation of votes for each party and equally

important a determination of whether the votes cast are valid and devoid of fraud. After the ballot boxes revealed both the numbers of votes for each party and the massive fraud, it was expected that faced with reality, the U.S. and its ABC allies, in view of the evidence of fraud and irregularities throughout the electoral process that their previous perceptions about the elections would have changed. But this was not to be since the U.S. and their allies’ mission in the Guyana elections is essentially regime change. The only facts that matter for them were those that would lead to the realisation of their objective.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Please wear We may not like CCJ ruling but must use same to move forward – Lincoln Lewis your masks Dear Editor

Dear Sir, I HAVE seen a photograph of ABCE diplomats meeting with the top brass of the Guyana Defence Force.

Everyone wore masks except the Ambassador of United States of America, and the High Commissioner of Canada (ABCE Diplomats meet with GDF Top Brass/ July 10, 2020). Why? The Ministry of Public Health as well as the National Task Force for COVID-19 are encouraging all citizens to wear masks whenever they are venturing out of their homes to do business or other activities, in this COVID 19 environment.

Yet, diplomats are seen not to be observing this very rule. This is a matter of public health; rules put in place by the competent authorities to manage this virus should be observed by all, regardless of status.

From the Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess to everyone else were fitted with masks, but diplomats

of A and C faces were uncovered at such a highlevel meeting.

Yesterday, President Donald Trump wore a mask in public on his visit at the Walter Reed military hospital. And in May of this year, Prime Minister Trudeau entered the House of Commons wearing a face mask. Earlier this month, His Excellency President David Granger could be seen wearing a mask pinning Brigadier Godfrey Bess’ insignia to his shoulder lapels.

Although it is not strictly enforced, it would be nice to see top diplomats practising this rule in a period when the number of deaths resulting from coronavirus seems to be on the increase in our country. Also, it’s a good way of leading by example and paying respect to the efforts of our government to keep Guyanese and all who live and work here, safe. Please wear a mask!

Regards Gregory Howe

elementary constitutional law that if ordinary legislation is in THE Caribbean Court tension with the Constitution, o f J u s t i c e ( C C J ) w a s then the courts must give approached to weigh in on precedence to the words of the our electoral process. There Constitution and not the other was reservation among way around.” some, yours truly included, The CCJ clarified, stating that the court could so do that “With respect, the notion after the ruling made by that Order 60 could either our Court of Appeal (CoA). impact interpretation of The judges said they can the Constitution or create and on 8th July issued their a n e w e l e c t i o n r e g i m e judgement. at variance with the plain R e s u l t i n g f r o m t h e words of the Constitution judgment is that the CoA i s c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y operated outside of its unacceptable.” The Order jurisdiction, but the CCJ had issued by the GECOM is jurisdiction to hear the case 60 of 2020 (4th May and brought by the appellants. amendment 29th May 2020), The court not only ruled that which created the framework the chief elections officer for the recount. What the (CEO) did not have the judgment is in effect saying is authority to invalidate any that the Order is of no effect. vote, but such is the purview Such judgment stands of the High Court by the in countenance with Article way of an election petition, 9 of the Constitution. Said as outlined in Article 163 of article expressly states, “This the Constitution of Guyana. Constitution is the supreme This ruling is consistent with law of Guyana and, if any the position of the Chair other law is inconsistent with of the Guyana Elections it, that other law shall, to the Commission (GECOM) in extent of the inconsistency, addressing concerns about be void.” voter impersonation and other Back in March, Chief anomalies found during the P a r l i a m e n t a r y C o u n s e l national recount.

Charles-Fung-A-Fat-S.C Said “Court also notes advised against the Order, that an Order issued by stating that “the provision GECOM in any particular that the Order is seeking context can never determine to make has the effect of how the Constitution is to be amending Section 84 of the interpreted. It is a matter of Representation of the People

Act and would therefore be ex post facto” (Guyana Chronicle, 18th March 2020-Chief Parliamentary Counsel advises GECOM against gazetting the order for recount- warns that such a move would supersede electoral laws, infringe on rights of electors). PPP/C Executive Member Anil Nandlall challenged Fung-AFat’s advice. In the said article Nandlall reportedly stated that the “GECOM is empowered by law to make almost any decision possible in relation to its role and the elections body.”

The Recount Order stipulated that votes will be tallied on Statements of Recount (SoRs). The Representation of the People Act, Cap 1:03, which lays out the requirements for conducting an election, requires tallying of votes on a Statement of Poll (SoP) and the process involving statutory officers. The two situations, even though dealing with tallying, operationally were diametrically opposite.

Whereas the CCJ sided with the chair on the proper authority (High Court) to enquire into and invalidate votes or an election, the court dissented with GECOM that it could create a “new regime” to address the difficulties that arose during the tabulation

The U.S. and its western allies have in...

Since the U.S. and ABC countries are historic players in Guyana’s politics and elections, they were well aware of the opportunity our elections crisis offers them to play an objective and positive role to ensure that no party benefited exclusively from a rigged election. Their failure to use the enormous power and international influence to help the country get past this historical “plague” which the U.S. and the western powers helped to create opens them up to the accusation of encouraging the continuation of rigged elections in Guyana, so that they can use it as an instrument to control and dominate our political life. To put it another way, divide and rule.

I have said sufficient to form the basis for my contention that the U.S. position on Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional elections is driven by the imperative of President Donald Trump’s reelection bid in November. Two major issues that usually drive the U.S. presidential elections are the economy and foreign policy.

All presidential candidates and

their parties are well aware of this reality and seek to maximise their advantage in these important areas. Internationally, Trump has little success in the area of foreign policy to go into these elections.

It is in this context that Venezuela becomes important. If Trump can achieve regime change in that country it would enhance his re-election bid. Venezuela is not North Korea with nuclear weapons and it is in America’s back yard, hence, it is vulnerable in military and political terms.

As matters stand in that country the U.S. policy of regime change has led to consolidation of Russia and China to emerge as major players in Venezuela and by extension in the U.S. back yard. This poses both a “dilemma” and an “opportunity” for the Trump administration. It is in this context that Guyana like Colombia, as bordering countries with Venezuela, becomes of great importance to U.S. political and military leadership in their determination of options in Venezuela. President Trump in the

last election committed to bringing home American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan and said that he would not send the military into avoidable conflicts. He has instead demonstrated a preference for the use of non-human military assets.

And to date has resisted pressures from the “warmongers” in his administration for a change of policy. President Trump, however, is on record as saying that all options are on the table in relation to Iran, North Korea and more recently, Venezuela. Of the three countries mentioned, Venezuela is more a likely candidate for a U.S. military option.

It is my considered opinion that given President Trump’s reluctance to send American troops into armed conflicts and wanting to keep his commitment to his political base, he would see sending U.S. ground troops into Venezuela as an option of last resort. Despite that position, Trump has shown that he is open to forms of political/ military actions that will allow regime change without a firefight with the Venezuelans and their

Russian ally. Bearing in mind the Cold War engagement between the two superpowers at that time operated on the acceptance of the right of each side to hold sway in its backyard, the American political and military planners seem to be relying on the Russians buckleing under U.S. pressure, and falling back to the old understanding they had in the Cold War period.

Political and military forces in the Trump administration are therefore pushing for the U.S. to test Russia’s resolve in Venezuela.

This requires the U.S. to confront Venezuela and its allies with a formidable threat of pending military engagement. To achieve this posture, Colombia and Guyana as bordering countries with Venezuela become important in the U.S. scheme. The use of either our land, sea or airspace or all three, is what the Trump administration is after as it relates to Guyana. The U.S. position on our elections, I repeat, has nothing to do with the promotion of democracy, or free and fair elections and the rule of law. It is

exercise. From the outset, the CEO sought to recommend administrative resolution with regard to tallying the votes of Region Four. This was ignored. It may be recalled he said, “If, at the end of the day, that doesn’t work, the CEO will be involved with his statement to have a resolution to the issue” (Demerara Waves, March 4, 2020- GECOM resolves votepadding concerns, resume verification on Region Four).

We are where we are today in this binding situation because of several factors, not the least of which are poor decision-making and disrespect for the Rule of Law as evident from political and other leaders, the international community, and GECOM. I say this in full recognition that another push is being made to have the Chair of GECOM act in contravention of constitutional mandate and with disregard for the statutory and constitutional role of the CEO. The CCJ’s judgement as well as the Constitution and Laws of Guyana must be respected. No more or no less is expected.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

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in my opinion that their judgement of our political leadership is that Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C will be willing to comply with U.S. requests. This explains the rush for regime change in Guyana. The APNU+AFC its supporters and the African community unfortunately are the victims to be thrown under the bus for the U.S. administration to achieve its goal in Venezuela.

I end by stating it will not be long before the Guyanese nation and the world has confirmation of the correctness of my judgement on the real U.S. intentions in relation to our elections. Expediency is the name of the game. The recent visit by the local representatives of the U.S. and the ABC countries to the leadership of the Guyana Defence Force in the present political situation is improper and diplomatically offensive to the government and the Guyanese nation.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

GECOM Chair strikes out March declarations …orders CEO to submit elections report based on recount

…threatens to substitute him with Myers

By Svetlana Marshall THE Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh on Monday scrapped the March 2020 declarations made by the 10 Returning Officers, in an attempt to force the hands of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield to submit an Elections Report based on the votes tabulated during the National Recount.

Failure to submit an Elections Report reflective of the Certificates of Recount by 14:00hrs today (July 14) would result in the Chief Elections Officer being substituted by the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, Justice Singh warned.

The disclosure was first made by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)-nominated Elections Commissioner Sase Gunraj, and later confirmed

by GECOM’s Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward.

The declarations made in

the 10 Electoral Districts between March 3 and 13 showed a win for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) at the General and Regional Elections.

According to those declarations, which were not invalidated by the Courts, the ruling Coalition secured 236,777 votes while the PPP/C raked in 229,330. The other parties: A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Change Guyana, Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), People’s Republic Party (PRP), The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), The New Movement (TNM), and the United Republican Party (URP) secured approximately 9,000 votes.

However, as a result of an allegation of electoral fraud, the Elections Commission placed them in abeyance to pave way for the National Recount, which commenced on May 6, 2020 for a period of 33 days. In the not-so-distant past, GECOM had repeatedly said that though the declarations were in abey-

ance, they were not invalid, and would only be replaced following another around of declarations. To date, no other declarations have been made by GECOM.

GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers

Elections Commissioner, Sase Gunraj

At a meeting of the Elections Commission on Monday (July 13), the Chairman of the Elections Commission invalidated the 10 Declarations after hearing arguments from the Government and Opposition-nominated Elections Commissioners on

the Elections Report, which was submitted by the Chief Elections Officer on Saturday, July 11, 2020. That Elections Report, the third submitted since the March 2 General and Regional Elections, was reflective of the 10 Declarations made in March, though Justice Singh had instructed that the report be compiled during the data from the National Recount.

“It is my decision that the results of March 13 declaration cannot be used at this time, since these were

Public Infrastructure Ministry bemoans theft of LED streetlights THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Electrical Engineering Department has reported the theft of thirty-seven (37) Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Street Lights in a number of areas in various parts of the coast.

The replacement cost per

unit amounts to seventy-three thousand Guyana dollars (GY $73,000) which will cost the Ministry two million, seven hundred and one thousand Guyana dollars (GY $ 2,701,000) in total to replace all thirty-seven LED lights, the Ministry said in a press release.

It noted that based on the engineer’s estimate, this is quite an exorbitant amount of finance to replace the LED lights. It said, too, that these lights were installed in November 2019.

“The Ministry is hereby pleading with the perpetrators to refrain from com-

mitting larceny against its country; as the Government of Guyana seeks to improve safety and security on Guyana’s road network,” the release said.

The chart below shows the affected areas and the number of units stolen

The general public is kindly asked to report any suspicious act of theft to the Ministry’s Public Relations Department on 592-227-0799, via Facebook Messenger at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, or via Email at mopiguyana@gmail.com.

replaced by the tabulation of the votes at the recount which was hailed by all to be a transparent and credible process,” Justice Singh reportedly said while issuing her decision.

Moments after exiting the meeting of the Elections Commission, Gunraj told reporters that Justice Singh issued the decision at around 14:30hrs, and in doing so took into considerations not only their arguments, but the July 8 decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case Irfaan Ali and Jagdeo v Eslyn David and others.

“She emphasised as well that the Court of Appeal in no way, shape or form, howsoever or where-soever in that judgment set aside Order 60, its effect or any aspect of it,” the Elections Commissioner recalled while indicating also that the declarations, made in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, have been replaced by the Certificates of Recount generated based on Order No. 60, the legal instrument used to facilitated the National Recount. According to Gunraj, the Chairman’s decision is a step in the right direction.

ELECTIONS REPORT Meanwhile, in addressing the Chief Elections Officer’s “failure” to submit an Elections Report based on the National Recount, Justice Singh, according Gunraj, said that though Article 177 (2) (b) indicates that the CEO must advise the Chairman of the Elections Commission on the Elections result, the CEO is not higher than the Commission, and as such the Commission is not “subservient” to him.

Lowenfield, therefore, must adhere to the dictates of the Elections Commission, Gunraj told reporters.

Further, Justice Singh, according to Gunraj, also

referenced Paragraph 24 of the summary of the CCJ’s ruling, in which the Court said: “Unless and until an election court decides otherwise, the votes already counted by the recount process as valid votes are incapable of being declared invalid by any person or authority.”

While Gunraj told reporters that in Paragraph 24, the CCJ ruled that the results of the National Recount must be used for the declaration of the result for the 2020 General and Regional, such a ruling could not have been found in that paragraph.

However, Paragraph 37 of the full judgment reads: “Both the allocation of seats in the National Assembly and the identification of the successful presidential candidate are determined on the sole basis of votes counted and information furnished

by Returning Officers under the Representation of the People Act.” Notwithstanding that aspect of the ruling, Justice Singh maintained that an Elections Report must be submitted in accordance with Article 177 (2) (b) and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, but most importantly the Certificates of Recount, which were generated during the National Recount. “In light of that, she has ordered the CEO to present a report to the Commission, using the recount numbers by 2pm tomorrow (today July 14),” Gunraj reported. He, however, expressed disappointment that the GECOM Chair did not go “the full 9 yards” and complete the electoral process, but has placed the process back into the hands of Chief Elections Officer. Failure to comply with the Chairman’s orders, however, would result in the Chief Elections Officer being substituted by his deputy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Lindeners hold another protest …say will not stop until Pres. Granger is sworn in for second term

By Naomi Marshall LINDEN supporters of the ‘A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change’ (APNU+AFC) coalition said that they will continue to protest until President David Arthur Granger is declared President .

This sentiment was expressed by former Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira during a protest on Monday morning in the mining town of Linden. Figueira told this newspaper that the coalition’s supporters are demanding that the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh make a declaration based on the report submitted by Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield on July 11,2020.

He noted that the CEO has honoured his constitutional obligations and adhered to the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice, which primarily discarded the national recount, hence, it is time for Justice Singh to honour her constitutional obligation by declaring President Granger re-elected through Guyana’s March 2 elections.

Figueira remarked, “We believe this elections saga has gone on for way too long, we are in a crisis with regards [sic] to COVID-19 and more so the money to run the economy is vastly dwindling away and we believe we need a government in place, we need a parliament in place and we believe the chairman must do her bit now, which is going to make a finality to this decision by making the declaration.”

He added, “The Lindeners will continue to protest until a declaration is made. We believe that it is time that President David Granger is sworn in. The evidence suggest [sic] that he won and we are asking the Chairman to swear in the President.”

Gordon Calendar, former Councillor at the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10, stated that the national recount process was found to be illegal, hence, the only polls that are valid are those from March 2, 2020. “The opposition was attempting to win the elections with a set of fraud votes in those ballot boxes and so our chief elections officer would have gone to the constitution and start quoting the constitution,

hence, the national recount is not legal,” Calendar said.

Lowenfield on Saturday submitted his Elections Report to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), showing a win for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

The Elections Report, the third of its kind since the conduct of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, was submitted to the Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh on Saturday at around 11:00hrs by the Chief Elections Officer. It is reflective of the declarations made in March 2020 by the returning officers in the country’s 10 electoral districts.

According to the Elections Report, there were 475,118 valid votes cast at the General and Regional Elections, and of that number, the APNU+AFC secured 236,777 votes, while the PPP/C raked in 229,330. A New and United Guyana (ANUG) received 2,275 votes; Change Guyana, 2,026; the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), 2,569; the People’s Republic Party (PRP), 862; The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) 680; The New Movement (TNM), 246; and the United Republican Party (URP), 353. There were 3,997 rejected ballots.

Based on the valid votes cast in favour of the lists of candidates that contested the elections, the APNU+AFC was allocated 33 seats; the PPP/C, 31; and the Joined Lists – ANUG, LJP, TNM – one seat in the National Assembly.

The National Assembly has 65 seats. In submitting his Elections Report, the chief elections officer told the GECOM Chair that his report was consistent with Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution, and the electoral laws governing the country. “It is my understanding that Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution affords the technical officer the right to advise the chairperson of the elections result that ought to be declared. In this regard, I have prepared and submitted the results of the General and Regional Elections in accordance with my statutory and constitutional duties, and all applicable laws,” Lowenfield said in a signed letter to Justice Singh.

Scenes from the protest held in Linden on Monday

Excerpts from the CCJ ruling

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Region One new COVID-19 epicentre

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

---as cases continue to climb

By Navendra Seoraj THERE continues to be a steady rise in the number of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, especially in hinterland regions like Region One (Barima-Waini), which has been confirmed as the new epicentere for the disease.

The number of confirmed cases in Region One recently surpassed those in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), said Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, during a virtual COVID-19 update on Mon-

day.

“We wish to inform you that Region One is now the epicentre, and accounts for most of the new cases that have been confirmed over the past two weeks,” the DCMO lamented.

The region has so far recorded 93 positive cases, but 33 of those persons have already recovered from the disease. The remaining patients are in institutional isolation.

This reality has, however, not changed the attitude of some residents of Region One, said Dr. Boyle, as some residents in the Moruca sub-dis-

trict have been averse to the “basket” of health measures which have been outlined by health authorities.

“They are blatantly flouting the guidelines, claiming in some instances that COVID-19 is non-existent, and therefore there is no need for a lock-down in that district,” she lamented, adding that had it not been for the help of “whistleblowers”, the health authorities would not have been able to detect cases in the area.

The “whistleblowers” are also helping the authorities to identify “strangers” from high-

risk areas who may be trying to sneak into communities in Region One, without the necessary documentation.

“Friends, we need to appreciate their efforts; they are trying to mitigate the spread of the disease in the community.

“Please appreciate that the hinterland poses a unique challenge to contact tracing, in that addresses rarely consist of a lot number and street, and as such it is very difficult to locate someone who does not want to be found. Hence, we must work hand-in-hand with the hinterland communities relying heavily on them to

Excerpts from the CCJ ruling

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Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle

help identify cases, known contacts of cases and potential cases who may have entered the country not observing our mandatory quarantine rules,” Dr. Boyle advised.

She encouraged persons to report others who may “be of interest” to health authorities, by calling the COVID-19 hotline. These “little” actions will help health authorities protect residents and their loved ones from the deadly COVID-19.

It is also imperative for this initiative to be replicated on a national level, because cases are climbing rapidly, with the latest statistics showing that the country recorded three new cases in 24 hours.

Dr. Boyle said health authorities found those cases after conducting 78 COVID-19 tests between Sunday and Monday.

The authorities have so far tested 3,330 persons, with 3,030 being negative and 300 testing positive for COVID-19.

Some 155 persons have, however, recovered so far, and 17 persons have died, but authorities are still monitoring 128 active cases of the disease.

Five of those cases are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“It must be noted that our number of positive cases is still on the increase and that we now have nine out of 10 regions with COVID-19 cases, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) being the newest region to report cases,” said Dr. Boyle.

Residents of Region Eight were urged to be vigilant, especially if they are in mining areas and bordering communities.

Despite the consistent rise in cases, Guyanese are still taking the disease lightly, and

this is proven by the findings of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with UNICEF. The two main results of the survey were that the level of fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 has decreased from 81.6 per cent to 53.5 per cent; and that 30 per cent of the respondents reported their unwillingness to give up their daily practice and adhere to guidelines provided.

“I wish to emphasise that the decline in your fear factor may be as a result of your tiring from the constant messages concerning COVID-19.

Nonetheless, I wish you to recognise that our cases are still on the increase, and that we all are susceptible. COVID-19 is a ‘smart Alec’, according to our Guyanese parlance, so the best approach is not to behave as the 30 per cent of those persons in the survey who are unwilling to give up their free lifestyle; rather, let us try to avoid being infected, and to safeguard ourselves from the potential damage that COVID-19 can cause,” Dr. Boyle advised.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 12.5 million cases of COVID-19, with over 561,000 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.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Min. Allicock condemns arson attempt on Umana Yana MINISTER of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock has condemned the recent arson attempt on the Umana Yana.

In a press statement issued on Monday, Minister Allicock described the act as incomprehensible, noting that the country must focus on “building and not destroying”, if it is to move forward as a unified nation. “It is troubling to think that an individual can look at such a treasure to destroy it,” the Minister stated.

He reminded that the Umana Yana is one of Guyana’s national treasures; a historic site for all Guyanese, as it is a part of the Indigenous culture and their contribution to the nation.

“I see this as a stupid act, and ask all Guyanese to condemn this action,” Minister Allicock said, cautioning that even amid the current political climate, Guyanese must maintain law and or-

der, respect each other, and desist from destroying public property.

Originally built in 1972 by members of the Wai Wai group to facilitate the hosting of the first Non-Aligned Movement meeting, which was held here, the Umana Yana is the largest structure of its kind in Guyana.

In 2010, the structure was refurbished to the tune of $16M, and entailed a team of 39 Wai Wais painstakingly affixing over 500,000 troolie palm leaves, held together by vines gathered from the remote St. Cuthbert’s Mission. Four years later, on September 9, 2014, the Umana Yana was gutted by fire. Reconstruction of the building began in late 2015, at a cost of about $66.7M and was completed the following year. The name, ‘Umana Yana’ is of Amerindian origin, and means the meeting place.

CDB, IDB Group to boost cooperation, improve lives of Caribbean people PRESIDENTS of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Chief Executive Officer of IDB Invest have recently signed a mutual cooperation agreement.

The new agreement between the IDB Group and CDB support economic development and integration of the Caribbean community and common market. “Today’s signing ceremony is a re-affirmation of CDB and IDB’s shared commitment to the sustainable growth and development of the Caribbean Region. It signals that we have reached another milestone in over four decades of collaboration between our two institutions. With the widening of our agreement to include IDB Invest, we are also expanding the opportunities for the regional private sector to play an even bigger and more meaningful role in improving the lives and well-being of Caribbean people,” said CDB President Dr. Warren Smith.

The new agreement sets out how CDB, IDB, and IDB Invest will cooperate in the financing or co-financing of projects in order to build social, economic and environment reliance in the Region, to further inclusion and equality, and to enhance good governance and innovation. The agreement includes joint financial and advisory services and building capacity and training. “This agreement will help the Caribbean region at a critical time, when countries face enormous

challenges to transform their post-pandemic economies in order to become more sustainable and more resilient to natural disasters, and more capable of harnessing the creative energies of their people,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno.

The boosted cooperation between CDB and the IDB Group replaces a cooperation agreement from 1977, and will facilitate CDB and IDB Invest’s joint promotion of public-private partnerships.

“The private sector can play a catalytic role in transforming the Caribbean for a more sustainable tomorrow. IDB Invest has placed more local staff in common member countries and made available more financial products and services than ever before, highlighting our commitment to provide solutions and technical excellence in the Caribbean. This CDB partnership only strengthens our relationship and ability to support the private sector and reignite growth,” said IDB Invest Chief Executive Officer James P. Scriven.

By harmonising policies and procedures for the procurement of goods, works, and services, the new agreement also increases efficiency gains to be passed on to project beneficiaries, in the form of reduced transaction costs. The agreement was signed at a virtual ceremony connecting CDB and IDB headquarters in Barbados and Washington D.C. by videoconference.

The roof of the Umana Yana after it was set on fire

Excerpts from the CCJ ruling

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Local CSEC, CAPE students all confidence

--despite the many challenges they’ve had to overcome while preparing to write the exams STUDENTS writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) said that despite their learning conditions for the past four months, they are hopeful for excellent results.

On Monday, the first examination for both levels commenced, and the Guyana Chronicle visited a few central schools to speak with the students. The subject areas that were being written that day were the Foreign Languages, namely French, Spanish and Portuguese, and as such there were only a few schools opened, with a small number of students in attendance.

At St. Joseph High, some students said that their study conditions were not ideal, because of the many difficulties with the Online classes, but due to their diligence and commitment to excellence, they pursued alternative ways of getting themselves prepared.

O ne CAP E student, Christina Burrowes said, “The preparations for exams were kind of difficult, due to lack of resources sent by teachers. Past papers were very hard to find, and during the Online classes on Zoom, we weren’t able to understand what was going on, due to lack of face-to-face interactions. Also, Internet connection was poor for some students, so it was a really unfortunate period, but we made it out.”

Christina also noted that she was forced to join groups of Caribbean students preparing for CAPE, and that is how she was able to get the resources she needed to study. And having gotten those resources, she didn’t keep them to herself but shared them with her colleagues here.

Delicia Williams, who attends Chase Academy, said, “It was challenging with what is going on with the COVID-19 and stuff, because some days you have classes on Zoom, and those are not quite effective for us, because sometimes you don’t really understand the

A group of St. Joseph High students heading into the examination rooms

Christina Burrowes

Esther Grogan

Delicia Williams

Omari Kewley and Kenny Ordonez

explanation the teachers give you from Online, and it is not the same like in the classrooms. So I would have had to read the text books, go on YouTube and get further explanations to ensure I have a full understanding. And because of that, I’m a bit more calm and confident that I’ll do well.”

Esther Grogan, also of Chase Academy, was quite enthusiastic. She said that despite the many challenges, she is ready to conquer her exams.

“The fact that we were able to stitch in a few face-toface classes during the week made it a bit better for our preparations,” Esther said,

A Queen's College student getting sanitised at the school’s gate

adding: “For me, it was difficult to learn through Zoom classes, so most of the times when the teacher is finished with the work, I’ll collect notes so I can read up and do more research in order to get a more in-depth understanding. So I’m ready for exams!

I’m going in there and I know that I will pass!”

Two friends, Omari Kewley and Kenny Ordonez, who were making their way to school, said that their only challenge was WiFi connection to stay abreast with the Zoom classes.

The analogue methods did not fail, however, since the boys said that their school notes and Past Papers were

their major source of knowledge for the past four months.

None of the students the Guyana Chronicle engaged had any concerns about the Coronavirus or precautionary health measures available at the school; they were all focused on the examinations, and how well they will perform.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Essequibo Coalition supporters call for Granger to be sworn in - during Anna Regina protest THE rain did not stop supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition from protesting for President David Granger to be sworn in as Guyana’s next President.

Their protest came on the grounds that the March 2 Elections have concluded

Coalition supporters protesting in Region Two

and from all indications, based on the Gecom Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, the coalition has won.

Organiser of the protest was Chairman of the PNC in Region Two, Prince Holder.

He said the peaceful protest was to call on GECOM to declare the result of the elections and to pave the way for President David Granger to be sworn in. During their

Coalition supporters protesting in the market area

protest the supporters of the coalition walked around the Town of Anna Regina for approximately three hours.

The protestors were holding placards that read, “Swear in President David Granger”, “We want Granger for President’, “Only Granger can run this Country”, “Swear Him in Now”. According to a young protester, the country is in chaos, and a decision needs to be made soonest so that Guyana can have a President.

Protestors echoing calls for President Granger to be sworn in

Protestors at Anna Regina

Ministry clears the air on social media videos THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has noted the circulation of videos on social media purportedly showing the removal of street lights within Region Three villages.

However, the Ministry, in a press release on Monday, set the record

straight with regards to what was seen occurring in the videos.

“The Ministry wishes to inform the residents between La Grange and Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, Region no. 3, that the electrical contractors are currently removing all metallic poles in close proximity to

all of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) 13.8kV express feeder due to the risks these pose to the maintenance crews,” the Ministry said.

It said that additionally, the lights are being reinstalled by Skytec Enterprise International Inc., Thomas

Electrical Construction and Manufacturing and JJ Electrical Contracting Service for a period of ten days, all things being equal, and that works are expected to conclude on the 22nd of July, 2020. “According to the contracts, the contractors are required to re-establish highway lighting net-

works using GPL’s wooden lantern poles,” the release said.

“The Electrical Department, therefore, condemns all social media posts that seek to defame the name of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Electrical Department,” the Ministry said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Eco ‘well funded’ to continue drilling in Guyana

ECO (Atlantic) Oil and Gas Ltd. is forging ahead with its plans to drill at least two additional exploration wells offshore Guyana in 2021, even as multiple other prospects are being reviewed for the upcoming drilling programme, and all finances necessary are in place.

The oil-and-gas exploration company presented this information on Monday in its audited results for the Year Ended March 31, 2020 and Business Update.

“Multiple prospects are currently being reviewed with high-graded candidates under consideration for the next drilling programme. Eco is fully funded for a further drilling programme on the Orinduik Block, and plans, subject to JV Partner approval, to drill at least two exploration wells into light oil cretaceous targets in 2021,” the Company says in its report.

The company has a 15 per cent working interest in the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana, and gave all assurance back in April 2020 that despite its implemented cost-cutting measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s still in “a robust position” to continue its exploration work in Guyana.

Eco Atlantic had initially planned its drilling programme for 2020, but Company President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Holzman disclosed in February 2020 that the need to better understand the geology of the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana would likely push the drilling programme into 2021.

Thus far, 22 prospects have been identified in the Orinduik Block, including 11 leads in the Upper Cretaceous horizon.

“Following the 2019 drilling campaign,“we are now working closely with our JV Partners to incorporate learnings from these and other nearby discoveries to deter-

Eco President and CEO Gil Holzman

mine our next drilling targets planned for 2021. We are keen to resume drilling activity on the Orinduik licence as soon as is practically possible, and we look forward to updating the market as we finalise our plans for next year,” Holzman said on Monday in the Business Update, adding: “We have some of the most attractive acreage positions in two of the most exciting global regions for oil and gas exploration activity, a very strong block partners in Guyana and on the corporate level, and we are well funded to ramp up activity in both jurisdictions as well as other regional opportunities.”

FURTHER ANALYSIS According to the update, in Q1 2020, the Orinduik Block’s operator, Tullow, proposed a further fine-tuning analysis of the Upper Cretaceous reservoirs and announced a plan to incorporate the Kanuku Block's Carapa-1 well data into Orinduik's existing geological models and technical analysis.

In 2019, Tullow made the Jethro-1 discovery, which comprised of high- quality oil-bearing sandstone, and a 55m reservoir of Lower Tertiary age drilled with a net cost to Eco of US$7.6M. That same year, the Joe-1

The Orinduik Block offshore Guyana

discovery took place, comprising high-quality oil-bearing sandstone of 16m reservoir with a high porosity of Upper Tertiary age. It was drilled with a net cost to Eco of US$3M. The two finds were mobile heavy crudes with high sulphur content, which appeared similar to the commercial heavy crudes in the nearby Hammerhead discovery.

In January 2020, a discovery was made at Carapa-1, but the find was below the company’s pre-drill estimate.

In its Q1 report, Eco Atlantic noted that its Joint Venture

(JV) partners have approved their 2020 budget, and are integrating the discoveries of Jethro-1, Joe-1 and Carapa-1 with the rest of the regional data now available.

This data will be incorporated into a reprocessing of the 3D seismic already shot on Orinduik. The intent is to provide further definition to the Cretaceous interpretation and target selection for drilling.

Eco Atlantic added: “Geological modeling and prospects maturation on the Orinduik Block are ongoing, which is anticipated to provide further

definition to the Cretaceous interpretation and targets' selection for drilling by the end of the calendar year.”

Despite the COVID-19 challenges, the country has been performing well, as at March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of CAD $26,482,896 million (US$18,782,196) with zero debt and remains fully funded for its share of further appraisal and exploration drilling at Orinduik Block offshore Guyana (the "Orinduik Block") of up to US$120M (gross).

As at March 31, 2020,

Eco had total assets of CAD $28,205,351 million (US$ 20,003,795), total liabilities of CAD $496,889 (US$ 333,255) million and total equity of CAD $27,708,462 million (US$ 19,651,392).

Holzman stated: “We continue to monitor our costs closely and given we have met all of our existing work commitments in Guyana… for 2020, we only expect to incur minimal costs for the remainder of the year, thus we expect to end the 2020 calendar year with approximately US$17M in cash.”

Caribbean hospitality professionals to participate in virtual training programme MIXOLOGISTS, bartenders and other hospitality professionals in the Caribbean, who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will be the beneficiaries of a partnership between the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

WIRSPA, which represents distillers’ associations across the Caribbean, and WSET, the largest global provider of wine, spirits and sake qualifications have come together to offer at least 200 Level 1 Awards in Spirits courses online.

This course will give Caribbean hospitality professionals the op-

portunity to increase their industry knowledge and skills free of cost, while they are unable to work.

Beverage, alcohol and other hospitality professionals over the age of 18 will be eligible for the course with individual distillers’ associations selecting the most deserving candidates in their market. The Level 1 Award in Spirits course, run online via WSET’s Online Classroom, will start on July 27 and will run for four weeks. At the end of the course, students will take a remotely invigilated online exam and those who are successful will receive certificates and WSET lapel pins.

WIRSPA’s membership of Caribbean-based distilleries will pro-

vide additional support during the course, running tasting sessions and webinars on their brands and products as a supplement to WSET course materials.

Deniece Bourne, WSET Business Development Manager – Americas East & The Caribbean, said that, “Tourism is a major industry across the Caribbean, and, in these challenging times, we are committed to offering our support to displaced hospitality professionals. We are delighted to partner with WIRSPA for this initiative, which aims to empower participants through education and a qualification that will help them in their careers, both practically and professionally, once they are able to

return to work.”

Meanwhile, Komal Samaroo, WIRSPA Chairman in brief comments added that, “WSET is an internationally recognised provider of education, and this initiative is making available to our hospitality professionals, a world-class qualification in spirits. This certification will provide them with important new skills and enhance their employment prospects.”

According to Vaughn Renwick, CEO of WIRSPA, “Beverage service professionals – mixologists, bartenders, bar managers and other hospitality industry professionals – have been on the sharp edge of the lockdown, with many giving up

all income as the industry was shut down and only now slowly opening. This is our way of supporting this important sector and providing individuals with additional skills, in anticipation of full re-employment.”

Caribbean-based organisations interested in contributing to this initiative may contact Deniece Bourne, Business Development Manager – Americas East & The Caribbean of WSET Americas at dbourne@wsetglobal.com or Vaughn Renwick, CEO of WIRSPA at vaughn.renwick@wirspa. com for more information.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Body found in Strathspey canal

Thief receives thrashing from Lima Sands residents - after breaking into single parent’s home

INVESTIGATIONS are now being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose partially decomposed body was found in a Strathspey, East Coast Demerara canal on Sunday , around 07:30hrs. According to reports, the man has so far been identified as Deshawn Fitzherbert Mclean.

The body which was clad only in a brown long pants, was found along with a red haversack slung on the back and in which an identification card with name Deshawn McLean was found , is presently at Lyken’s funeral home awaiting identification and a post-mortem.

Labourer arrested for narcotics possession FORTY EIGHT-year-old Victor Kippins, a labourer of lot 9 Hosannah Street, Rosignol, was charged and found guilty of being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Kippins who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment had appeared before magistrate R. Singh at Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, on July 13.

It was reported that, about 06:45h, police, acting on intelligence gathered, stopped a public transportation vehicle in front of the Fort Wellington Police Station. Kippins, a passenger of the vehicle, was arrested after he was found in possession of one hundred and thirty-nine grams of cannabis.

The house that was broken into at Lima Sands

The suspect tied up before being handed over to the police

By Indrawattie Natram A MAN is presently in police custody at the Anna Regina Police Station after he was caught red-handed robbing a family at Lima Sands Village in Region Two. According to information received, he was tied and beaten then handed over to police by residents. The suspect is said to be living in the Lima Sands community.

According to the single mother, Alana Da Silva, she and her three children retired to bed when around midnight Sunday her daughter started

to scream. She said her son immediately went to inquire when they noticed the man in her daughter’s room; he gained entry after breaking one of the windows.

“When my son saw him, they began to fight and then the two of them dropped on the floor. We then managed to tie him up and then try to contact the police,” the single

mother related.

She said that an alert was raised and residents came to their aid. The police were also summoned and promptly responded.

The man was then whisked away to the police station where he remains in custody. DaSilva said that the thief took some of her cash but when he was caught,

he threw the money out the window. The single mother said that her daughter is currently traumatized and she will soon be seeking counselling for her. Only recently another home was robbed in the area. Residents are calling for frequent police patrol in the area.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Blackwood always...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

He appeared as a concussion substitute in the second Test against india in Kingston last year when Darren Bravo was forced out of the game, but missed out again thereafter.

Blackwood impressed in the recent West Indies first class championship where he plundered nearly 800 runs at an average of 51 and Holder said he had merited his place in the side by the sheer weight of his performances.

“To be honest, his case was pretty strong to get back into the team. He scored a double hundred this year in a first class game,” Holder explained.

“Unfortunately for me, I haven’t been able to see him bat but his numbers speak for themselves and he’s not a slouch with the bat at this level either.

“In comparison to the players we’ve got, he’s still averaging above 30 so he’s done well for us. We just hope he can kick on and make a few more hundreds.”

West Indies appeared to be squandering the opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the series when they slumped to 27 for three before lunch on Sunday’s final day.

However, Blackwood repaired the innings, first in a 73-run fourth wicket stand with Roston Chase who made 37, and then in a 68-run fifth wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich who made 20.

The victory came on the heels of the Windies’ 2-1 series victory in the Caribbean last year and saw

them take a giant stride towards ending a 32-year wait for a series win on English soil “It’s a massive, massive win. To beat England in England is no easy feat,” said Holder, who presided over the Windies’ last win at Leeds three years ago.

“We were able to do it last time we were here in 2017 so we all know what the feeling is like but things have changed drastically since then.

“They’re a massive, massive unit in their backyard so to start the series this well is very promising for us and we feel very proud about the way we performed.”

In fact, Sunday’s victory was in complete contrast to the manner in which West Indies started their last series here in 2017.

In a nightmare performance at Edgbaston, West Indies slumped to an innings and 209-run defeat and went on to lose the series despite a revival at Leeds.

This time around, Holder said there was an awareness they needed to begin the series strongly.

“We want to win every cricket match we play. It doesn’t often work that way but at the end of the day we strive to win every single Test match we step on the park to play,” he stressed.

“In the past we haven’t always started series this well and have been made to play catch up but it was always important we started this series well.”

Manchester City’s ban...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

able to present,” City said in a statement here “The Club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered,” the Premier League club added.

UEFA had said City had committed “serious breaches” of the FFP rule in information submitted to them between 2012 and 2016.

However, Article 37 of UEFA’s own procedural rules covering the CFCB states that “Prosecution is barred after five years for all

breaches of the UEFA Club Licensing and FFP Rules”.

UEFA said it remained committed to FFP. “UEFA notes that the CAS panel found that there was insufficient conclusive evidence to uphold all of the CFCB’s conclusions in this specific case and that many of the alleged breaches were time-barred due to the 5 year time period foreseen in the UEFA regulations.

“Over the last few years, Financial Fair Play has played a significant role in protecting clubs and helping them be-

come financially sustainable and UEFA and ECA (European Club Association) remain committed to its principles.”

The decision led Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish league and long-standing critic of City, to question the role of CAS in such decisions.

“We have to reassess whether the CAS is the appropriate body to which to appeal institutional decisions in football. Switzerland is a country with a great history of arbitration, the CAS is not up to standard,” he told reporters.

Funeral service for CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

during the proceedings.

Tributes to the great man will come from Cricket West Indies (CWI), the Barbados Cricket Association, The Legends of Barbados, The Empire Cricket Club, the Barbados Bridge Club as well as family members.

It is hoped that members of the current West Indies squad will also be in attendance. The West Indies are expected to arrive back in the Caribbean on July 30.

During the 1950s, Weekes, Walcott and Worrell formed a troika that

helped provide the Caribbean side with the most intimidating batting line up in world cricket. However, Weekes the shortest of the three was the best of them averaging 58.61 during a career that lasted a decade before persistent injury forced his retirement in 1958.

He scored 4455 Test runs that included 19 centuries and 19 fifties.

In January 1949, Weekes set a record when he scored his fifth century in consecutive innings, a record that still stands today.(Sportsmax).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

‘Stuart Broad debate mustn’t mask England errors’

By Jonathan Agnew THE debate surrounding England’s fascinating four-wicket defeat by West Indies in the first Test in Southampton will centre on the home side’s decision to omit Stuart Broad.

Clearly, Broad’s absence was a factor, because I do not believe England chose their strongest side given the conditions.

If he had been playing, England may well have taken the chance to bowl first in murky weather on Wednesday, and subsequently gone on to win.

However, they are all ifs, buts and maybes, so we must make a judgement from what we have seen on the field.

England were 204 all out in the first innings, lost five wickets for 30 runs in the second, and missed four opportunities to take wickets on

the final afternoon.

That first-innings return was not enough. Given West Indies’ margin of victory, England may only have needed another 70 or 80 runs to have run out as victors.

At the time, the total was hard to assess, because England were dodging showers and feeling their way back after the coronavirus lay-off.

But West Indies showed it to be inadequate by the way they were willing to knuckle down and grind out a sizable lead.

Even then, England could have got out of jail by taking their chances on Sunday. Of those missed, wicketkeeper Jos Buttler’s leg-side drop of Jermaine Blackwood and Zak Crawley’s fluffed attempt at a run-out are particularly hard to explain.

Fast bowler Stuart Broad was omitted from England’s first Test bowling line up

Reprieved, Blackwood reined in his game to play an innings of remarkable discipline, helping West Indies to the type of win over England that is becoming a bit of a habit.

We should not be surprised

they have pulled this off. This is not the team that England beat with regularity 10 or 15 years ago.

They showed at Headingley in 2017, and again in the Caribbean at the beginning of 2019 that they are a very fine team. Perhaps the only people that need convincing of that are their own supporters.

West Indies are focused.

They have a terrific set of fast bowlers and batsmen who can be flamboyant but are also willing to graft.

Remember, they have come here without Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer, two key men in their middle order.

Not only that, but they faced the uncertainty of travelling from the Caribbean, which compared to the UK has been relatively unaffected by coronavirus.

They had to quarantine for weeks, unable to set foot outside the Emirates Old Trafford ground, with only each other for company and nets to keep them occupied.

That West Indies were then able to turn up in Southampton and deliver a performance of such professionalism speaks volumes for the way they are led by captain Jason Holder and coach Phil Simmons.(BBC Sport)

142 applications to replace Phil Neville as England women’s head Coach A TOTAL of 142 people have applied for the England head coach’s job, with more than half meeting the criteria, says Baroness Campbell, the Football Association’s head of women’s football.

Phil Neville will leave the role next summer, so his replacement will be in charge for Euro 2021 and may also lead Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics.

After that, England are targeting World Cup success in 2023.

“We’ve had an unbelievable response,” said Baroness Campbell.

“I’m not judging it against what we’ve had in the past, it’s saying, ‘who has got the ability to take us right to the top of Everest?’

“We’re at the final camp - how do we get to the top of that mountain? That’s what my job is. To find that person for the players.

They deserve the best and I want to get them the best if I can.”

Applications closed at the end of June, with Baroness Campbell saying last month that there had been “very, very good interest from significantly experienced coaches”.

World-class appointment expected’- analysis Tom Garry, BBC Sport That so many qualified

Phil Neville will leave his England role next summer candidates have applied will be a big boost for Baroness Campbell and the FA, whose appointment of Neville received criticism, given he had neither applied nor had any previous managerial experience.

There had reportedly been 147 applicants from 30 different countries that time in 2018, but at least four of the FA’s preferred candidates pulled out of the process prior to them approaching Neville.

This time, there is an expectation that the role will be filled by one of the sport’s top coaches, with Ellis - born in England - the bookmakers’ favourite after stepping down from her role with the US in 2019.

The FA is understood

to be confident of a worldclass appointment, and England fans will expect nothing less, with their side having reached the semi-finals of the past three major international tournaments.

Jill Ellis, who coached the United States to World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, remains a favourite to succeed Neville, while Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, ex-Manchester City coach Nick Cushing and Manchester United’s Casey Stoney are among those in contention for the role.

The FA announced last month it would make 124 positions redundant, as it faces losses of around £300m caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Baroness Campbell says the women’s game “has taken its hit” but insists that their plans will not be adversely affected by a £75m per year budget cut.

“I’m afraid the reality is smaller budgets, smaller focus, smaller staffing,” she told Fair Play: The Women in Sport Show.

“What we’re talking about now is what do we stop, and how do we find different, creative ways to do some of the things we were going to do through funding.”(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Olympics must go ahead next year as symbol of overcoming COVID-19, Tokyo governor says

By Linda Sieg, Ami Miyazaki TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a future Japanese premier, said on Monday the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming the novel coronavirus, even as her city grapples with stubborn spikes in cases.

Japan has not seen an explosive coronavirus outbreak as suffered in some other places but a recent increase in cases in Tokyo, which accounts for more than a third of its more than 20,000 total, has fanned worries about a second wave of infections.

The 2020 Olympics were scheduled to start this month but were postponed because of the coronavirus. Koike has pledged to win public support for the Games, although a media survey showed a majority think they should be cancelled or postponed again.

“I want to host them as a symbol of the world coming together to overcome this tough situation and of strengthened bonds among humankind,” Koike told Reuters in an online interview.

She declined to specify a deadline for deciding if the Games could go ahead.

A media-savvy former television announcer who speaks English and Arabic, Koike is to many a paradox: a global thinker with a nationalist tinge; a political outsider who advanced with help from oldboy mentors, and a risk-taker who shied away from the big gamble of running for parliament in 2017 as head of her upstart “Party of Hope”.

The party floundered after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a snap election.

Instead, Koike stayed on as Tokyo governor and has won plaudits for her straight-talking handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in contrast to what critics called Abe’s clumsy response.

She was re-elected by a landslide last week, reigniting talk she has a shot at becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister.

On Monday, she sought to brush such speculation aside.

“I’m happy that people have hopes for me but I received support for a second term as governor,” she said.

“I want to protect the lives and health of the people of Tokyo by addressing the immediate issue of policies for the coronavirus. That is my greatest mission.”

POLITICAL

MACHINE? Tokyo’s jump in COVID-19 cases comes as Abe’s government prepares to launch a campaign to promote domestic tourism, but that has raised concern about spreading the virus outside the capital.

Koike said it was important both to contain the virus and revive the slumping economy.

“At present, a tough situation continues but ... by taking a proper response in Tokyo, I want to advance both the prevention of infections and social and economic activity,” she said.

Tokyo accounts for about 20% of Japan’s economy.

Koike, who clashed with Abe’s administration over the timing of a state of emergency, and over which businesses to target for shutdowns, said she wanted greater clarity on local governments’ authority during the crisis.

A veteran member of parliament before defying Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to make her 2016 bid for governor, Koike also wants to make the metropolis a global financial centre by luring foreign talent.

Still, speculation persists that she could yet aim for Japan’s top job.

She has already broken several glass ceilings: first female governor

Russian athletics federation chief resigns amid new doping troubles

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The president of Russia’s suspended athletics federation resigned from his post on Monday as the federation grapples with new doping setbacks that could keep its athletes further sidelined from international competitions.

Yevgeny Yurchenko, a businessman and former deputy regional governor, had been in the position since late February. He did not provide a reason for his resignation.

The federation’s troubles have piled up in recent months, with some of its officials and senior coaches having found themselves embroiled in doping scandals.

Most recently the federation missed a July 1 deadline to pay millions of dollars to World Athletics, putting on hold the chances of its track and field athletes being able to compete internationally as neutrals.

rules in March.

At the time World Athletics reinstated the process by which Russian athletes could apply to compete internationally as neutrals after demonstrating that they are training in a doping-free environment.

It said, however, that this process would again be suspended if half of the fine was not paid

by July 1.

World Athletics said this month that the Doping Review Board, which reviews Russians’ applications to compete internationally, and the Russian FILE PHOTO: Newly elected Taskforce overseeing the fedpresident of Russia’s athlet- eration’s reinstatement efforts ics federation Evgeny Yurch- were standing down until a enko speaks at the Russia’s meeting of its Council later Olympic Committee building this month.

The federation was susin Moscow, Russia February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Tatyana pended by the global body governing body in 2015 after Makeyeva a report commissioned by the World Athletics had hand- World Anti-Doping Agency ed the federation a $10 million (WADA) found evidence of fine for breaching anti-doping mass doping among Russian track and field athletes.

of Tokyo, Japan’s first female defence minister and the first woman to run for LDP president.

But creating a new political machine to vault her to the top would be tough, political analysts said.

“Does she have what it takes to be prime minister?

Absolutely. But she doesn’t have the political machine that can make it happen,” said a source who has advised Koike for years.

A return to the LDP fold would also face obstacles, given that mutual antagonism runs deep.

FILE PHOTO: Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike speaks at the opening ceremony of the Ariake Arena, which was due to host volleyball and wheelchair basketball competitions in the now-postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan February 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Will 2020 US Open survive escalating Covid-19 health crisis?

By Russell Fuller-BBC tennis correspondent THE US Open is, for the moment, still on. And yet there is increasing pessimism within tennis that the tournament can survive the United States’ escalating health crisis.

Lastuesday, the US reported more than 60,000 new coronavirus cases: a new daily record.

Cases in New York have fallen sharply since April, but concerns over quarantine - both on arrival, and when travelling on to Europe to prepare for the French Open - have not yet been allayed.

World number six Stefanos Tsitsipas could speak for many when he says: “I am 50:50.”

“I personally would go and play, but if things get worse and our health is in danger, then the US Open and everyone involved should suspend the event for this year,” the 21-year-old told Sportsworld on the BBC World Service.

“The mood has gone south in the last week or two,” was the

way someone else put it, with one agent no longer expecting the championships to go ahead.

The US Open is scheduled to be played behind closed doors in New York from 31 August, but if it is to be cancelled, the decision is likely to be taken by the end of this month.

The governor of New York State, Andrew Cuomo, invested a lot of political capital in giving the US Open the green light last month, but in recent days has had to introduce a 14-day quarantine for travellers arriving from no fewer than 19 US states.

Florida, which is either a home or a training base to so many professionals, is one of the states on the list. Will players be granted an exemption?

And how will the Spanish, Italian and French governments view the arrival of players and their entourages from New York for the delayed clay court season?

The European Union Council is still recommending a ban on non-essential travel from the United States. The advice will

be updated every two weeks, although it is for member states to decide who should be exempt, and whether a period of self-isolation is required.

Jamie Murray has won the US Open mixed doubles title for the past three years, and admits staying in Europe to play “seems like a less stressful option right now”.

“I think that will potentially come to a head soon with the ATP and US Open,” he continued.

“And I’d imagine for the ATP, it would be very difficult to support the US Open going ahead if the draw has to quarantine coming back to Europe where they have two Masters Series and another Grand Slam.

“From my point of view as a player, you just want stability.

Right now we don’t have that.

There have been a lot of things changing with not that fantastic communication I’d say.”

There is also the issue of fairness. If the EU Council’s advice is followed to the letter, then on the grounds of nationality, barely half of the women’s

Rafael Nadal (right) claimed his 19th Grand Slam singles title at Flushing Meadows in 2019 but has not committed to playing this year. top 40 will be free to travel to Palermo and Prague for the resumption of the WTA Tour.

Many are desperate to start playing again. The American number one John Isner has congratulated the US Tennis Association for their “forward thinking” in going ahead with the US Open, and Serena Williams committed to playing last month.

Overseas players have been more circumspect, or in Nick Kyrgios’ case, scathing.

“Selfish” and “stupid” is the Australian’s take on the US Open proceeding as things stand.

Novak Djokovic - who has told Serbia’s Sportski Zurnal he

has been the target of a “witchhunt” for his part in the ill-fated Adria Tour - says he is “not sure” whether he will play.

He has been more vocal in his opposition in the past, though, while Rafael Nadal another to have expressed reservations - is officially keeping “all options open”.

Both have said they will play in the Madrid Open the week after the US Open, with Djokovic making clear he wants to compete in Rome as well before the French Open gets under way on 27 September.

In some ways, though, the prospect of a US Open without Djokovic, Nadal and Roger

Federer - who will not play again this year - is the least of the USTA’s worries.

The organisation has had to cancel all five ITF World Tennis Tour events scheduled to take place in the US in August “to ensure the health and safety of all those involved”.

There is still no word on the entry deadline, which - in a normal year - would be just 10 days away.

“I don’t think we know from day to day if it’s going to happen,” the 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert told Today on BBC Radio 4.

“I mean, right now in Florida, it’s five times worse than it was two weeks ago.”

Hales happy to be back with CPL champions Barbados Tridents

ALEX Hales will be back at the Caribbean Premier League in 2020 having won the title with the Barbados Tridents in 2019. The tournament will take place from 18 August to 10 September and it will be amongst the first cricket competitions to return.

The English opener is very excited to be back at the CPL but is conscious that he wants to improve on the performances he put in during last season.

“I am really happy. Obviously last year, personally I didn’t perform anywhere near

the level I wanted to and I know I am capable of, so for them to put their faith in me again is really, really pleasing. When you win a title like that, I guess you want to keep as many of the guys together,” he said.

“We had such a good environment there, led incredibly well by Jason Holder and Phi Simmons. The combination of those two was so chilled out which is exactly what you need in T20 cricket. I am really looking forward to it; CPL is a great competition and held in high regard around the world

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(TUESDAY JULY 14, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK - STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz (1)Marius Fernandes (vs ENG, Bourda, 1930) (2)Curtly Ambrose-164 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) Which two WI bowlers were universally

known as “The Spin Twins’?

(2)Name the members of the famous ‘Three Ws

Club’.

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

in terms of standard. To get another crack, another bite of the cherry, is a great opportunity.”

Hales was really impressed with the CPL in his first season at the tournament and says he would like to be involved for as long as he can be. He says the talent and passion on show are fantastic to be around.

“Some of the Caribbean players are some of the most talented cricketers I have been around anywhere in the world.

Also, the love of the game, the team Barbados had was something I had never quite experienced,” he said.

“The highs of winning games, and then we lost a couple of games and everyone was devastated. The love and passion that everyone has there is second-to-none. Personally, if I can improve on what I did last year it is a tournament I would love to be involved with for the rest of my career.”

The Tridents have re-

tained the core of their squad from the 2019 season and Hales says that finding that right balance between experience and youth was one of the pillars of the team’s success last year.

“From what I have found playing for different franchises, you need the right blend of experience and youth, and the more I have played the more I think experience plays a part in winning trophies. The young guns will win you games here and

there along the way, which are important, but I think you really do need a mixture of experience when it comes to the pressure games,” he said.

“That is something we spoke about a lot in the Barbados team, it is keeping that cool head. I think experience when it comes to the pressure moments and the big games in tournaments really helps you win those games at the right time.”(Sportsmax)

Wells `over the moon’ after 20th goal of season

LONDON, (CMC) – Bemudian striker Nahki Wells said he was “over the moon” after hitting the 20-goal mark in a season for the first time in seven years His brace in Bristol City’s 3-1 win away to Middlesbrough in an English Championship match on Saturday took his City tally to five after earlier notching up 15 goals for Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, where he was on loan before his Premier League parent club Burnley sold him to the West Country outfit in the January transfer window.

Wells helped himself to a brace either side of Jamie Paterson’s smart finish for the visiting side. The 30-year-old Bermudian opened the scoring in the sixth minute

with a looping shot off the post before poking home his team’s third with 11 minutes remaining.

Britt Assombalonga pulled a goal back for Middlesbrough but it was little more than a consolation effort.

The last time Wells reached 20 goals in a season was during Bradford City’s League Two promotion campaign in 2012-13.

“I’m over the moon,” Wells said afterwards.

“It’s disappointing the wins have come a bit too late, but it’s about trying to finish the season strongly, trying to be as professional as possible and trying to win every football match we play.”

Saturday’s win gave City renewed

hope of grabbing a play-off spot. They are now in 11th place but within three points of sixth-placed Cardiff City with three games remaining.

City, who sacked their head coach Lee Johnson on July 4 and replaced him with caretaker boss Dean Holden after a run of four successive defeats on resumption from the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, are at home to relegation-threatened Stoke City on Wednesday.

“We know what we have to do to potentially nick that (play-off) spot.

“We had to win all five of our games from when Deano (Dean Holden). We have three left and we need to win all three and hope things dramatically go our way.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020

UEFA Financial Fair Play rules set to change after Man City ban overturned

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin

By Simon Evans MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - After UEFA’s attempt to ban Manchester City from European football was overturned by sport’s highest court on Monday, the continental governing body’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) system, under which they were charged, faces likely changes.

FFP regulations aim to stop

clubs running big losses through spending on players but, after 11 years, UEFA was already examining possible changes before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) backed City’s appeal against a two-year ban.

UEFA accused City of “serious breaches” of its FFP rules in information submitted to the governing body between 2012 and 2016 and banned the club from European competition for two years.

But CAS ruled that those allegations were either “unproven” or “time barred”, as UEFA’s own rules placed a five-year statute of limitations on prosecutions.

Some of the cases may also have been covered under a “settlement agreement” UEFA and City entered into after a previous probe ended in 2014.

It will not be clear until CAS’s full decision is published in the coming days how many of the cases were ruled out as time-barred and how many were unproven.

But the fact that such a high-profile case ended in failure for UEFA — with even City’s fine for “non-cooperation” with the investigation cut by the two thirds to 10 million euros ($11.33 million) — is a defeat for UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB).

The ruling did not, however, make a judgment on the FFP system itself.

“There is no suggestion of a finding that the legal basis of FFP is somehow invalid. That means that whilst this result may embarrass UEFA, it does not appear to undermine the legality of the FFP rules themselves,” Christopher Flanagan, managing editor of the International Sports Law Journal, told Reuters.

LIKELY CHANGE UEFA was quick to defend the FFP system, which was introduced by the European governing body’s former president Michel Platini in

2009.

“Over the last few years, Financial Fair Play has played a significant role in protecting clubs and helping them become financially sustainable and UEFA and ECA (European Club Association) remain committed to its principles,” UEFA said in a statement.

But at UEFA’s congress in Amsterdam in March, the body’s president, Aleksander Ceferin said the system is likely to be changed.

“Its too early to say how it will look in the future but we are thinking about it and will probably have to adapt,” he told reporters.

While the system was created to stop clubs going into debt, critics believe it may have created a closed ‘elite’ with clubs outside the traditional powerhouses limited in their ability to build teams.

Ceferin said change was on the agenda.

“It has been very successful as a system. There are almost no losses

in European football anymore and now we will probably have to adapt to different times,” he said.

“Our experts are in discussion but changes will not happen very soon, I assume.”

What form the changes take remains to be seen, but some supporters of the system believe it has simply become too complicated.

“Sometimes, to tell the truth, it is not easy for us either to respond on questions regarding FFP because we don’t understand as well,” Karl Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of Bayern Munich said in 2015.

But Lars-Christer Olsson, president of the European Leagues organisation, has warned against getting rid of the system altogether.

He said that ending FFP would be “the opportunity for the richest clubs to widen the gap.

This would take us back to the time where the clubs had debts which continued to build ... and that would be detrimental.”

Holder climbs to No. 2 in Cameroon says ICC Test bowler rankings no to hosting final

Jason Holder took career-best figures of 6 - 42 in England’s first innings

WEST Indies captain Jason Holder has moved up a place to the number-two spot in the Reliance ICC Test rankings for bowlers.

The 28-year-old Barbadian, who is also the

number-one-ranked Test all-rounder in the world, took match figures of seven wickets for 91 runs in the first Test against England in the #RaisetheBat series that concluded on Sunday with the Caribbean men

winning the closely fought match by four wickets.

Holder’s 6 for 42 in the first innings against England at the Ageas Stadium in Southampton, helped restrict the home side to 204 on Thursday’s

second day and helped set up a famous victory for the West Indies.

The performance that included 1 for 49 in England’s second innings, earned the lanky medium pacer 32 points in the Test rankings taking him to 862 points.

Those points also moved him ahead of South Africa’s Neil Wagner who has 859 ranking points.

Australia’s Pat Cummings leads the rankings with 914 points.

Kemar Roach, who went wicketless in the match is ranked 16th with 731 points while Man-of-the-Match Shannon Gabriel is ranked 18th with 726 points. Gabriel took 9 wickets in the match and was a key player in the West Indies victory on Sunday.

stages of African Champions League

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - The final stages of this year’s African Champions League must find a new venue after Cameroon said on Monday it would not host the three remaining matches of this year’s competition.

Cameroon had been asked by the Confederation of African Football last month to host two semi-finals and the final of the continent’s top club competition, which had been postponed in May because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in September.

However, Cameroon Football Federation president Seidou Mbombo Njoya told a news conference his government had

vetoed the plans because of concerns over transmission of the novel coronavirus.

It means CAF must now find a new host for the matches.

Record winners Al Ahly are to play last year’s runners-up Wydad Casablanca and Zamalek take on Raja Casablanca in the two semi-finals — both matches between Egyptian and Moroccan clubs.

CAF said the semi-finals would be played as single matches, with extra time and a post-match penalty shootout if necessary to decide the winner.

They will also allow five substitutions per match for each team.

Captain Jason Holder greets Jermaine Blackwood in the middle during their small partnership on the final day of the opening Test.

SOUTHAMPTON, England, (CMC) – Captain Jason Holder said Sunday he had not spoken to Jermaine Blackwood following his glaring first innings indiscretion that cost him his wicket cheaply, but always knew the dashing right-hander would have a key role to play in any successful run chase to win the opening Test.

Blackwood gifted his wicket cheaply for 12 on Friday, smashing an ordinary delivery from off-spinner Dom Bess into mid-off’s lap as West Indies were dismissed for 318 in reply to England’s 204.

However, the 28-year-old redeemed himself with an innings of the highest quality here Sunday, laying aside his usually impulsive stroke-play to top-score with 95 as West Indies chased down a target of 200 to pull off a four-wicket win at the Ageas Bowl.

“After his first innings dismissal I said nothing to him.

He knew what he’d done and he knew he is a better player than what he did in the first innings so there was no need to talk to him,” Holder told a media conference.

“I [always] felt he was going to be a crucial player for us in this run chase, him and probably John Campbell because these guys when they get going score relatively quickly and can really swing the tide for us when they form partnerships.

“I just said to Jermaine ‘look, just give yourself a chance, give yourself a good chance. See a few balls and then play your game. If you see a ball in your arc and you feel you can put it away, put it away’ because that’s the way he plays.”

He continued: “I don’t like to get into complicating players’ heads and congesting their brains with too much information. They’re all responsible enough and know themselves well enough. We’re just here to help one another – lots of these guys in the dressing room help me and help me in significant ways.”

The game marked Blackwood’s first start in a Test match in nearly three years after featuring on the Windies’ last tour here in 2017 before being axed later that year.

SEE PAGE 19

Blackwood always key to run chase, says Holder

Sir Everton Weekes will be buried alongside fellow greats Clyde Walcott and Frank Worrell on the Cave Hill university campus in Barbados.

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Funeral service for Sir Everton Weekes set for Kensington Oval July 31

THE funeral service for the late West Indies great Sir Everton Weekes will be held at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on July 31, according to media reports in Barbados. He is to be buried alongside greats Clyde Walcott and Frank Worrell on the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus.

Weekes, who made his debut for the West Indies in January 1948 and played

59 Tests in an illustrious career, died on July 1, 2020.

Weekes, who was 95, had been ailing for some time after suffering a heart attack in early 2019.

Dean at the St Michael’s Cathedral Reverend Jeffrey Gibson will do the sermon while Professor Hilary Beckles will read the eulogy. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is to read a lesson SEE PAGE 19

Manchester City’s ban from European football overturned

By Simon Evans\

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City’s two-year suspension from European football was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday, allowing the club to compete in next season’s elite Champions League competition.

CAS ruled that City did not breach Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by disguising equity funding as sponsorship. Sport’s highest court also reduced a fine for failing to cooperate with UEFA to 10 million euros from 30 million euros.

“Most of the alleged breaches reported by the (UEFA) Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB (Club Financial Control Body)were either not established or time-barred,” CAS said in a statement.

European soccer’s governing body UEFA ruled in February that City had committed serious FFP breaches and failed to cooperate with its investigation.

Missing out on the Champions League would have cost City, who have denied any wrongdoing, as much as 100 million pounds in prize money and broadcast revenue, as well as matchday and other revenues.

The FFP regulations are designed to stop clubs running up big losses through spending on players. They also ensure sponsorship deals are based on their real market value and are genuine commercial agreements — and not ways for owners to pump cash into a club to get around the rules.

CAS said its full legal ruling, with details of the case and the decision, would be published in the coming days.

“Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the Club’s position and the body of evidence that it was

SEE PAGE 19

Holder climbs to No. 2 in ICC Test bowler rankings

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TUESDAY,JULY 14, 2020