Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_08_03_2020

MONDAY 3rd August, 2020

’ No. 106080

DR. ALI TAKES CHARGE ... SWORN-IN AS 9TH EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT

… appoints Philips as PM, Jagdeo as Vice President, Nandlall as AG and Teixeira as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance 03&09 PAGES

… Coalition to pursue elections petition

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, takes the oath of office before Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards (Adrian Narine photo)

44 new cases of COVID-19

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Western diplomats congratulate the PPP/C on victory

IN a joint statement on Sunday, American, British, Canadian and European Diplomats to Guyana congratulated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on its electoral success, and Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on his being sworn in as President.

Making the statement on behalf of their countries were Ambassador of the United States of America, Sarah-Ann Lynch; British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee; and the Ambassador of the European Union, Fernando Ponz-Canto.

They congratulated the people of Guyana and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for bringing to a peaceful and orderly conclusion the 2020 elections.

“We thank all the po-

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; British High Commissioner Greg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee; and EU AmbassadorFernando Ponz-Canto litical parties, technical advisers and all observers, international and domestic, who participated in

the electoral process. We thank GECOM Chairwoman Claudette Singh for having the courage of

her convictions to uphold Guyana’s Constitution,” the ABCE diplomats stated, adding:

“We look forward to working with President Ali and his government as it confronts many

immediate challenges, including the need to address the social and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the development needs of Guyana’s people. We also look forward to seeing this government at its outset reach across political divisions to unite Guyanese of all ethnicities, races, and regions, around meaningful progress on constitutional reform and reconciliation.”

When the four last spoke in unison in June 2020, they had called GECOM to declare results to reflect the will of the people, following the outcome of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) appeal.

They were concerned that over 100 days had passed since the elections, and a declaration of the results had not yet been made.

‘Coalition in opposition will work hard for Guyana’s development’ … Harmon says

DESCRIBING it as a “sad day for democracy, rule of law, sovereignty and independence in Guyana”, former Election agent of APNU+AFC Joseph Harmon, thanked Party supporters for their support and noted

that the Coalition in opposition will continue to work hard for the development of the nation, as he also wished the new president well.

He noted that the Party will be filing an elections pe-

tition to challenge the results of the elections. Harmon’s statement came moments after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was officially declared winner of the March 2, 2020 elections, and the Party’s candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as the country’s 9th executive president. “People are angry, hurt and disappointed, and

I can empathize with that.

The Coalition in opposition will have to do everything to ensure respect for our territorial integrity and oppose through all means possible any attempt to use Guyana’s territory and/or assets as a staging ground to destabilise neighbouring states. We will have to demand and work to ensure a proper census

of voters to produce an authentic voters list before the next elections, Harmon’s statement said.

The elections declarations came five months to the date of the hosting of the General and Regional elections, following several court cases. The declarations giving the PPP/C the win was made based on the results of

a national recount. Based on the data from the National Recount, the PPP/C obtained 33 seats, while A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition obtained 31 seats.

The small parties also picked up a seat.

“Those 217,920 votes which were allocated at the recount are but a small part of our support base both at home and abroad.

I thank them for their support, and we will continue to struggle so that all issues receive attention. The president has announced that a petition will be filed shortly, which will put in the court, evidence which already exists at the elections commission of the recount.

Including, among other things: Evidence of dead persons casting votes; Migrated person voting: Ballot boxes without statutory documents; Missing ballots, etc,” Harmon said, adding: “We will continue to demand justice and equality for Guyanese, and a strong voice in how our resources are allocated to both foreign and local entities.

We will continue to demand the Good Life without fear of persecution or prosecution.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

DR ALI TAKES CHARGE

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…appoints Philips as PM, Jagdeo as Vice President, Nandlall as AG and Teixeira as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance

By Lisa Hamilton DR IRFAAN ALI became the 9th President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on Sunday, ushering in a new era with a promise of bold action to lift the country out of its present economic state, and help unite its citizens, badly bruised during a divisive elections campaign.

Taking the oath at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Dr Ali became the youngest head-of-state of this 54-year-old independent country, fulfilling, at last, the full promise that youths are the leaders of today. Around him at the ceremony were cheering party leaders and family members, celebrating a turning point of history and looking eagerly for a new voice and vision to lead the country in a new century.

Ali’s election and eventual swearing-in came after five months of a legal tug-ofwar and political brinkmanship following the March 2, 2020 elections. The swear-

ing-in ceremony took place around 16:30 hours not long after Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh made the declaration.

He took the Oath of Office in the presence of Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

Also present were First Lady, Arya Ali; members of the diplomatic corps; Executive members of the PPP/C; family and well-wishers.

In his first remarks as President, Dr. Ali said that he is humbled by the opportunity to serve Guyana and assured that he would work daily in the best interest of the people.

He said that there is only one future for Guyana and that is one in which all Guyanese are united and work towards the development of the country.

He thanked Guyana’s international and regional partners for their fight to uphold democracy in Guyana even as he assured them that Guyana was better off because of their

efforts. President Ali thanked, further, those who voted in favour of his party noting that they have elected a government which will serve all of Guyana, despite political affiliation.

MOMENT TO REFLECT “This is a moment for all of Guyana to reflect. This is a moment for us to charter a way forward that is built on unity; to charter a way forward in which the development and aspirations of all our people can be realised in a respectful manner moving Guyana forward,” he said to media operatives subsequently. “There is no need for fear, there is no need for distinction based on political persuasion; no need for distinction based on religious belief or ethnicity. This is a government for all of Guyana and that is how the government will operate.”

The President said that, later this week, an inauguration will be held during which the plans of the new PPP/C

government will be addressed fully. Until then, he appointed four initial Cabinet Members.

Those were PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mark Phillips as Prime Minister; former President, Bharrat Jagdeo as Vice President; Anil Nandlall as Attorney General and former PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance.

President Ali said that the four Cabinet Members would serve as a transition team and this transition will be facilitated through talks with former President David Granger.

The team is headed by Vice President, Jagdeo. “This is a transition team and, very early in this week, you will see the full Cabinet in place and we will, as I said, be moving towards an inauguration function where I’ll detail in a more comprehensive way the path and the way forward.”

In the meantime, he called on accounting officers of the Government to ensure that

President Irfaan Ali takes the Oath of Office (Adrian Narine photo)

government and state assets are protected for the PPP/C’s transition. Almost immediately, he said that he expects to meet with the heads of security and law enforcement in Guyana for a briefing on Guyana’s security status.

Regarding the oil and gas sector, he said that Guyanese can look forward to management that is people-centered; an accountable government and the equal and transparent management of every sector.

Dr. Ali’s swearing-in as President of Guyana came following a declaration by the Elections Commission on Sunday which indicated that, based on the data of the National Recount, the PPP/C has won the elections. The Election Report shows 233,

336 votes for the party securing it 33 seats. Meanwhile the APNU+AFC gained 217, 920 votes and 31 seats and the joined list of parties – the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), The New Movement (TMN) and the A New and United Guyana (ANUG) --gained 5,214 votes collectively and one seat.

Dr. Ali, 40-years-old, is a Guyanese politician and a former housing minister of Guyana. He was selected as the presidential candidate for the PPP/C on January 19, 2019. Ali was born in Leonora West Coast Demerara (WCD) and has one son. He holds a doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

President Irfaan Ali appoints his new Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo (Adrian Narine photo)

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, is appointed back to the post (Adrian Narine photo)

Former PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira appointed as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance by President Irfaan Ali (Adrian Narine photo)

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali (centre) flanked on his left by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo and on his right by Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Gail Teixeira.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Granger says thank you to supporters, coalition partners

FORMER President, David Granger has vowed that the APNU+AFC will challenge the results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections as declared on Sunday, as his party does not believe that this was done legally. He, however, thanked his Coalition partners and supporters for their efforts during the elections.

Subsequent to the declaration of the Elections Commission on Sunday hailing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as the victor, and Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali as the President, the former President released a statement on his Party’s position moving forward. He stated: “The APNU+AFC

Coalition cannot endorse a flawed Report, and will continue its campaign to ensure that the votes of all Guyanese are accurately recorded, tallied and reported. The APNU+AFC Coalition will challenge the declared results lawfully, peacefully and purposefully. The Coalition asks its members, supporters and friends, who have been patient throughout our campaign and a prolonged legal process in our Courts, to continue to conduct themselves in a lawful and peaceful manner.”

In Guyana, the Court of Appeal ruled on July 30 that any challenge to the legality of the process employed by GECOM or allegations of electoral

Monday, August 3, 04:30hrs - 06:00hrs

fraud or irregularities must be done in the form of an Elections Petition following the official declaration of the results of the elections. The Appellate Court had ruled on this in the Misenga Jones Case approximately three weeks after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had handed down a judgement in the Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo v Eslyn David and others case.

With the elections results then not yet declared, the Court snuffed the APNU+AFC’s contention that the results should not be declared on the recount data, as the National Recount had unearthed massive irregu-

larities and cases of voter impersonation. According to Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, there were well over 2,000 irregularities that were unearthed during the recount, from missing List of Electors to missing Oaths of Identity, and Certificates of Employment. Additionally, there were over 4,000 cases of voter impersonation, as a result of persons voting on behalf of the dead and Guyanese residing overseas.

With the results now declared, the new Opposition party can now freely contest it by way of Election petition though the Court, and has all intention of doing so.

“I have stated repeat-

edly, from the start of the electoral process, that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change Coalition would respect the lawful ‘declaration’ of the Elections Commission. I have never altered this position, and I do now acknowledge the ‘declaration.’ The APNU+AFC Coalition respects the lawful consequences of the ‘declaration’ as announced by the Chairman of the Elections Commission. I maintain that the Report ordered by the Court and presented to the Commission contains significant anomalies and irregularities,” Granger said.

Former President, Mr. David Granger Even so, the former President thanked all Guyanese for their participation in the elections and members of the Alliance For Change, Guyana Action Party, Justice For All Party, National Front Alliance, People’s National Congress Reform and Working People’s Alliance and all others for their support of the APNU+AFC Coalition.

PPP/C Essequibo supporters celebrate Party’s victory UPON hearing the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) announce on Sunday evening that Dr. Irfaan Ali is Guyana’s next President, Essequibians started to celebrate.

At the recent March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had won Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

On Sunday evening, loud music could be

Proud PPP/C supporter, Priya Singh

A Perseverance couple showing their colours

The couple up close

heard blaring from jukeboxes in many communities across the Region.

Supporters could also be seen driving around on trucks with the party flag celebrating. Many supporters also used the opportunity to nail the party’s flag to their fences.

Many of them were heard shouting, “Red Force

is back!” and “The PPP is back!” It was indeed a very happy moment for PPP/C supporters after waiting almost five months for Ali to be declared President.

Many of them said that they’re happy that the wait is over, so that Guyanese can now continue to live as one people and one nation.

Op-Ed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

By Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General A lethal combination of disease, extreme climate events and economic crises is threatening the smallest and most vulnerable nations of the world. To tackle it, we must overhaul how we understand and address economic vulnerability.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already triggered a massive global recession. Meanwhile, a record number of super cyclones have wreaked havoc in Asia and the Pacific while the Caribbean braces itself for up to six major Atlantic hurricanes over the coming months.

There is good reason to feel anxious. When Hurricane Maria struck my native Dominica in 2017, it obliterated 226 percent of annual economic output, to say nothing of the emotional and psychological pain of having communities destroyed and lives lost. More recently, Cyclone Harold ploughed through Vanuatu, Tonga and Fiji, incurring US$750 million of damage, while exacerbating the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Very often after hurricanes, countries must borrow heavily to rebuild their crippled economies, pushing them further into debt. For the 32 disaster-prone ‘small states’ in the Commonwealth – most of whom have a population of 1.5 million or less – the reality is that COVID-19

COVID-19 debt relief must consider the vulnerabilities of small states

profoundly compounds the ongoing risks they already face on a daily basis. Not only are they highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, but their remote locations, high levels of debt, scant domestic markets and limited range of exports further expose them to other external shocks.

Within a few months, COVID-19 has ravaged their tourism industries, which contribute up to 50 percent of national income in countries such as Maldives and Grenada, while slashing a fifth of vital remittance inflows. Overall, Commonwealth small states are set to lose 8.6 pe cent of projected economic growth, with knockon effects such as unprecedented levels of unemployment and disruption to social services.

Yet, despite the patent vulnerabilities they share, many small states are excluded from vital international financial support designed to help cope with COVID-19, including debt relief.

This is due to outdated eligibility criteria based mainly on per capita income which classifies them as ‘middle’ or ‘high income’ countries, without fully taking into account their current challenges.

For example, the IMF has offered USD213.4 million worth of COVID-19 related debt relief to 29 of the poorest and most vulnerable nations. While commendable, the initiative will only benefit six of 54 Commonwealth countries - The Gambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda,

Sierra Leone and Tanzania. It will not cover any of the 25 small island developing states in the Commonwealth, which remain prone to the existential threat of climate change.

Similarly, the G20 has offered to temporarily suspend debt repayments for more than 70 countries classified as ‘least developed countries’ or which meet certain criteria under the World Bank International Development Association. In this case, 30 Commonwealth countries are eligible, but a number of small vulnerable states such as Jamaica, Belize and Eswatini do not qualify because their average annual income per person is above the US$1,175 threshold, or they are deemed creditworthy enough to borrow from other funds. So, while acknowledging these huge efforts of the global community to deal with the financial impacts of the pandemic, it is clear the nature and size of the support on offer is simply not enough.

Still, the extraordinary circumstances brought about by COVID-19 offer a rare opportunity to reform the international debt architecture so it is more fit-for-pur-

pose. Most urgent is that the moratorium on external debt repayments is extended to all developing countries – including small and vulnerable states classified as middle or high income – recognising their specific vulnerabilities. The Commonwealth Secretariat’s ongoing work on a Universal Economic Vulnerability Index will also be vital. Still in development, this index aims to better capture different aspects of vulnerability – such as remoteness, economic exposure and proneness to natural disasters – rather than focus on per capita income alone.

We hope to build a consensus among our members on the definition and measurement of vulnerability, to help us better understand the needs of countries in crisis and propose the best solutions. Without this altruistic approach to debt relief, many vulnerable countries are at a great risk of a debt crisis with alarming socio-economic impacts.

We simply cannot afford to sit back and allow such a setback to human development.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali

SUNDAY August 2, 2020 marked another historic day in the life of this young nation, when Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn-in as the ninth executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Dr. Ali brings to the job as chief executive of this country years of experience as a minister of government in the PPP/C administration. His signature achievements would have come when he headed the Ministry of Housing and Water, transforming communities and making land ownership affordable to all Guyanese. Although his journey to being President of this country was not an easy one, one could not miss his often calm demeanour in going about his tasks. The Guyana Chronicle congratulates Dr. Ali and wishes him and his government a successful term in office.

Born into a Muslim family at Leonora, West Coast Demarara, Dr. Ali’s parents are both educators. He completed his secondary education at St. Stanislaus College in Georgetown, and holds a doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the West Indies. He has served as Project Manager of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Project Implementation Unit in the

Ministry of Finance, and Senior Planner in the State Planning Secretariat. He became a member of the National Assembly of Guyana in 2006, and was subsequently appointed to the portfolios of Minister of Housing and Water and Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce. In 2015, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) went into opposition, during which time he served as chair of the Public Accounts Committee, and co-chair of the Economic Services Committee of the Parliament of Guyana. He was selected as his party’s presidential candidate in 2019. In the campaign for the Presidency, Ali ran on a mainly economic platform, citing declining growth and increased joblessness under the David Granger Administration. He also committed to creating 50,000 new jobs over five years.

He emphasised the need for transparency, and adherence to globally-recognised standards of governance for Guyana’s nascent oil sector, which is expected to transform Guyana’s development. Ali has committed to establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund protected against political interference, and to strengthen Guyana’s ability to uphold the Santiago Principles and

the global requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

Meanwhile, given the length of time it took before a final declaration was made and the number of legal challenges, Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony must have been a bitter-sweet experience, both for President Ali and his party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. In his short address after taking the oath of office, Dr. Ali stressed the importance of uniting Guyana, and his plans to advance the country’s development.

In making those remarks, President Ali would have been acutely aware also of the damage done to race relations here due to the contentious nature of the elections. At the end of the day, the elections are over, and as has been the call from many, the former administration, APNUAFC now has a chance to file an elections petition to challenge the declaration, which they do not find favour with. The conclusion of the elections also opens the door for this country to begin serious work to repair its image on the international scene, given the events of the elections and claims and counter-claims of electoral fraud. Guyana is a democratic nation, and this virtue must continue to be

borne out as we go forward.

And even as we transition into a new government, the Guyana Chronicle reiterates its call for all parties to find the time to sit down and talk. There comes a time when the needs of the country must supersede the partisan impulses. That time is now. When the dust settles, it is the Guyanese people who will have to do the rebuilding of trust.

It is plain for all to see that the country is on the edge. On both sides of the political divide, the popular masses have remained committed to their respective parties. That is their right. But in the process, they are also expressing their fears. We believe it is now the responsibility of the political leaders to assuage those fears. When in 1997 there was a similar post-election impasse, in the face of political instability the two parties quickly went to the table to negotiate a settlement of the issue. The outcome was the Herdmanston Accord, which ultimately led to an end to street protests. It also led to an audit of the elections and electoral reform.

The aftermath of these elections is a golden opportunity to live up to our aspiration of One People, One Nation, One Destiny.

2020 Results must mark redoubling of efforts to be full-fledged citizens of this land Dear Editor, FELLOW Guyanese, the 2020 National and Regional elections results have been declared. Many may be disappointed not only with the results but with the posture of their leadership.

These results must not be seen as the end of the road for some or the beginning for others but must mark the redoubling of our love

for country and fellowman.

In the process it presents the opportunity for evaluation, assessing the path travelled, developing new plans, and applying new strategy in the quest of achieving our goal as full-fledged citizens of this land.

This must include ensuring meaningful representation and a seat at the national and local decision-making table. Let none tell you otherwise!

As Guyanese, we must work harder to give true meaning to “inclusionary democracy” as outlined in Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution. Every square inch of this country belongs to all of us, be you residing at home or abroad; supporting a political party or apolitical; of same or different ethnicity, class or creed; or from the same or different location.

This is our Guyana! It belongs to all of

us. Thus, we must all continue to play a role in ensuring her development and ensuring development is to the benefit of us all.

Let us continue to hold hands to build this great country our ancestors, from diverse strains, bequeathed us. Onward, Upward, May We Ever Go!

Regards Lincoln Lewis

GPSU extends Emancipation Day greetings to all Guyanese Dear Editor, THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) extends Emancipation greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of Emancipation Day 2020.

The fight for Emancipation was bitter and brutal and our freedom must not be taken lightly. In the trade union movement, quite like emancipation from slavery, nothing worthwhile comes easy, because, as evidenced over time, there must be a struggle be-

fore anything worthwhile is realized. Just like Cuffy and Damon, among others who fought to achieve emancipation, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow struggled in the 1920’s to get workers’ rights recognized. This resulted in the emancipation of workers from a ten hours workday to the eight hours we now enjoy.

Through emancipation, we have our brothers of East Indian, Chinese and Portuguese heritage coming to Guyana, resulting in the acclamation of Guyana being the land of six peoples. Hence, emancipation paved the

way for the creation of many of the physical and cultural heritages currently enjoyed in Guyana. Post emancipation there was the beginning of the Cooperatives in Guyana where the ex-slaves pooled their resources and bought villages, etc. This spirit of cooperation is still with us today and, if harnessed, could result in a more beautiful Guyana.

As we celebrate the anniversary of this exceptional and auspicious occasion, let us take time to reflect on our achievements, from whence we came to where we are today as a

nation, and as we look to the future, may we grow to the fulfillment of our national motto of “One People, One Nation One Destiny”.

The GPSU wishes all Guyanese a Happy Emancipation Day and may the spirit of cooperation that has been engendered following emancipation continue to be the architect of the development of our dear land of Guyana.

Happy Emancipation Day to All. Regards Guyana Public Service Union

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

West Indies flatter to deceive as England regain Wisden Trophy Dear Editor, ENGLAND came from behind and scored an impressive two-- one victory over the West Indies to regain the Wisden Trophy after the West Indies had slaughtered them in the first of three test matches played between the two teams in England.

Flashback! In a recent article in the press, I congratulated the West Indies on their magnificent victory in the first test. However, I posited that one swallow does not mean that it is summer. I explained that England would prefer to lose a battleship than to lose a test match and that they will come back at us with blood in their eyes. They drew blood in the second and third test matches and regained the trophy which will be held for posterity in the museum at Lords. It is apposite to note that on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 the birth anniversary of the greatest cricketer of all

times, our own-- Sir GARFIELD St Auburn Sobers, the West Indies meekly surrendered the Wisden Trophy to England.

In my letter alluded to above, I also mentioned diverse areas that the West Indies must address, included dropped catches, tactical blunders by the skipper himself; poor running between the wickets ; bad television reviews. batsmen getting starts and not moving on to big scores. Coach Phil Simmons subsequently called on his batters to convert the fifties into big hundreds. They did not positively respond to the coach. Eight batsmen got 50-plus but did not carry on to score centuries. The deficiencies of the team manifested themselves during the series. Hence, the performance of the team was proasic. It was like the elephant going into labour and giving birth to a mouse.

The Englishmen exploited the weakness of our batters. To use the words of Sir Vivian Richards, “ The lights were on but nobody

The Iron Lady sings and Guyana can breathe again Dear Editor, WARMEST congratulations to President-elect, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister- elect, Brigadier ( ret’d) Mr. Mark Phillips on their successful election as executive president and prime minister respectively in our Republic.

May God bless and guide them in their many endeavors as they take the mantle and

reins of government. A word to Bharat Jagdeo and Mr Anil Nandlall: your tenacity and steadfastness assured success and victory.

Thank you Madam Chair for restoring faith and confidence in the rule of law.

Over to you gentlemen as you write a new page in our country’s history.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

LJP congratulates Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C

Dear Editor,

THE Liberty and Justice Party congratulates President Elect, Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People Progressive Party/Civic on their victory at the 2 March 2020 elections.

That the declaration took this long is a travesty and an event that has caused very serious societal fault lines that the people will now look to the incoming administration to take significant steps to heal. The events leading up to these delayed results are matters that we hope the incoming administration treats with decisively to avoid future such events and to deter anyone from thinking they can perverse the will of the people.

We extend our gratitude to all the

political parties that fought to defend democracy, the international community and partners, the Guyana Elections Commission and the patient Guyanese population.

We also extend a special thank you to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Madam Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh for all her tireless efforts and for the delivery [of] free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

We look forward to an inclusive government and the fulfilment of the PPP/C’s pre-electoral promises to ensure an inclusive and progressive Guyana.

Regards Lenox Shuman

URP says looking forward to working closely with President Ali Dear Editor, On behalf of the Executive of the United Republican Party (URP) and on my own behalf, we would like to congratulate you on your election as President of The Co-operative Republic Of Guyana.

We are sure that under your leadership, wisdom, and guidance, Guyana will strive to much greater heights and achievements. We take this opportunity to reaffirm the URP’s unequivocal commitment to the development of our beloved country Guyana.

Your ascension to the highest office of the land comes at a critical time and we encourage you to pursue Electoral and Constitution reform.

You can count on our absolute support for your

efforts.

We look forward to working closely with you m to further strengthen our friendship and to advance our common objective of building a modern and safe Guyana every Guyanese will be proud of.

The URP looks forward to working closely and strengthen the cooperation between our party’s ideological concepts wherever they intersect and find common grounds.

Let me once again reiterate the URP’s sincere congratulations on your success.

Yours respectfully, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader of the United Republican Party (URP)

went to the party.” Several years ago, Michael Holding opined that there is no strength on the bench. That opinion is still very valid today.

At the commencement of the tour of England, world record holder, Brian Charles Lara, the Prince of Port of Spain, who was at onetime the batting King of the Cricketing World and who was covering the series for the BBC, urged the players to protect their wickets and to win the matches within four days. Unfortunately, those words fell on deaf ears as of the 56 West Indian wickets that felled during the series, 14 were out LBW and 9 departed bowled. This accounted for an alarming 41% of the dismissals of all the batsmen. During the first test there were 4 LBWs and 4 bowled. The LBWs and batsmen bowled peaked during the second test as 8 were out LBW and 4 bowled. There was a bit of flattening of the curve as 7 batsmen perished LBW and 1 bowled during the last test match. The batsmen stayed iron-footed in the crease and had their innings abbreviated.

Perhaps, the players did not realise that West Indian Wickets Matter and that the wickets must be protected all the time and at all cost.

Lara had a vision that the batsmen cannot survive batting on the fifth day of a test match. In the final day of the final test match, they mildly surrendered long before the close of play-one hour before tea.

They appeared to be in a rush to get back to the comfort of their warm bio - secure environment; instead of fighting it out on the field despite the harsh English weath-

er conditions and the hostility of Broad, Woakes and Archer, with Stokes lurking in the background. Too many batsmen got out playing at balls wide of the off stump, leg stump and elsewhere that could have been easily left alone. They gave the impression that they were playing for an impossible win when in reality they should have been batting to draw the match and retain the trophy. Their strategy should have been to bat, and bat, and bat and bat to the close of play.

Imagine Chase got run out as if chasing a quick single to earn an early victor;, or was he running away from the bowling? The late batting icon, the first and only batsman to have scored five Test centuries in consecutive innings, Sir Everton De Courcey Weeks, would have instructed the team to “bat till the cows come home.”

Interestingly, just after West Indies mildly surrendered, the rain came.

Here is how West Indies captain Jason Holder defined the mood of his players, “ It’s been challenging, It’s been really challenging.

Mentally, some of the guys are a bit worn out.

It could be this way for a little while and we have got to find ways to make it work.”

In another article, I will attempt to analyse the preformances of the batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, wicketkeeper, captain and the selection policy. Anyway, it is now close of play for me, bad light or not.

Yours respectfully Clinton Conway

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OAS SG congratulates new President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali THE Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro has congratulated newly elected President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on his election.

The OAS in a statement Sunday said it has closely monitored the situation in Guyana since the polls closed on the night of March 2, 2020. “We are happy that the multiple calls by the General Secretariat, national stakeholders and bilateral and multilateral partners, for the genuine results of the elections to be respected, were heard by GECOM,” the OAS said.

“The OAS congratulates the peo-

ple of Guyana for their patience. We also congratulate the GECOM Chair, Justice Ret’d Claudette Singh, for remaining true to her convictions and standing firm against the many efforts to undermine the will of the people.

Democracy in Guyana was put to the test in this process. Although it ultimately prevailed, it is clear there are weaknesses in Guyana’s electoral system that must be addressed.

In the coming months we will issue our final report on the 2020 process with recommendations that can assist in addressing these weaknesses and avoiding a similar situation in the future,” the OAS said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

CIOG congratulates President Ali

Dear Editor,

ON behalf of myself and family and on behalf of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), I wish to congratulate you on ascending to the Office of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, amplified because you are also the first Muslim President of our country. Your Excellency, the Muslim community is bursting with joy at this blessing from Allah (SWT), that he has chosen one from the Ummah of our Master Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to lead our country.

Make no mistake, your elevation to this office wasmade possible only by the Permission of Allah(SWT), who has entrusted you with guiding and protecting our nation. Please, do not ever breach the Amanah (trust) that Allah (SWT)has placed on your shoulders. In this regard, I remind myself and you of the verse of the Holy Qura’an: “It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you” (Al-An’âm 6: 165)”.

For your guidance,as you undertake this new chapter in your life, Allah (SWT) has said “There has come to you from Allah Light and a Plain Book.” (5.15).

Please read the Book of Allah as much as possible; this will be the source of your success.

In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says:”And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command; and We inspired them to do good works, and to observe the prayer, and to give out charity.

They were devoted servants to Us” (Quran, 21:73). Your ascension comes at a time when there is a lot ofdivision in our country, but we are confident

that you can heal the wounds and unite our people. Allah says in chapter 49 of the Holy Quran: “O mankind we have created from a single pair of a male and a female; and have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other, not that you may despise one another. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous. Verily Allah is well acquainted of all things.” I implore you to govern with Ihsan (excellence), compassion, justice patience, endurance, commitment, sacrifice and most critically bowing down in Worship to the King of Kings, the Lord of the Worlds –Allah(SWT).It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (PUBH) said, “Supplication is the weapon of the believer, the pillar of the religion, and the light of the heaven and earth” (Al-Hakim). Prayers and supplications bring us nearer to God and protect us from calamities and destruction. On the positive side, prayers and supplications plead our case to God who bestows more blessings on us. In verse 60 of Sura Mu’min, God commands us, “And your Lord says, Call on me; I will answer your (prayers). But those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely enter Hell-in humiliation.” May Allah (SWT) grant you the tawfeeq to lead our country in a manner that is pleasing to HIM. May Allah (SWT) bless you and bestow upon you the wisdom, strength, and humility to be worthy and successful. I pledge my personal support and the support of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana.

Regards Al Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad President of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG)

GCCI hails swearing-in of President Ali Dear Editor, MESSAGE from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry on the Swearing-In of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) wishes to congratulate His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on his appointment as the 9th Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

We also extend our congratulatory greetings to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on its success at the March 2, 2020 polls. The Chamber would like to thank all parties and entities which participated in the electoral process.

We would also like to thank the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh for executing her office and duties as Chairperson in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana. The GCCI looks forward to working with H.E. Dr. Ali and the Government of Guyana

on the task of nation-building and, in particular, private sector development. However, a number of immediate challenges confront Guyana, foremost of which is the devastating public health and economic impact of the novel Coronavirus.

The Chamber anticipates a now fully functional Government to comprehensively address this pandemic which has had deleterious effects on the welfare of Guyanese. As said previously, the GCCI remains supportive of any government brought to power by the democratic process and will continue to act as a partner in nation-building as we all seek to develop this nation of ours.

We anticipate Guyana’s continued development, for the benefit of the people of Guyana.

Regards Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Coalition to pursue elections petition PRIOR to a declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), then President, David Granger, accepted that a declaration must be made in keeping with the decision of the Court with regards to the use of the National Recount data but vowed that his party would fire back by way of an Elections Petition.

His remarks came by way of a statement through the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) on Sunday.

It followed phone call interaction between Granger and former Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo.

The two leaders had spoken after GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh reached out to them suggesting that they engage in discussions on the matter of the declaration of the results due to the controversy surrounding it. She did so after it was recommended by Gov-

9

… as last-minute talks with leaders failed to hold-up declaration

ernment-nominated Commissioner Charles Corbin that the leaders first speak on the meeting’s agenda before the Commissioners deliberate on the same. Outside the Commission’s High and Cowan Streets office while the engagement of the two leaders was expected, Corbin explained that the National Recount was set into motion by an agreement between Granger and Jagdeo and it was only fitting that they converse on the matter of the declaration which remains controversial.

“Commissioner Corbin made a comment that, in the circumstance of us not accepting the recount as the basis for results, that it is useful for the two leaders to speak on the way forward since that was the agenda item,” Commissioner, Vincent Alexander told the media. He added: “The Chairman acceded to that request and has since

spoken to both Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Granger and we have been asked to stay until 2 o’clock after the two of them would have had some conversation.”

TALKS ONLY AFTERWARDS However, long before 14:00 hours, speaking to the Newsroom, Jagdeo confirmed that he spoke with Granger about the suggestion by the Chair but they both agreed that they “do not support it”.

“He [Mr Granger] called me and we spoke and he said to me there was a proposal for an interlocutor, a broker and he does not support that and I do not support it too.

So, I reiterated my position to him and he said he will communicate back to me,” he said. He also told the Newsroom that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is prepared to discuss, in the future, a

The elections report of the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield (Carl Croker photo)

governance model which was included in its manifesto.

Meanwhile, a statement subsequently from the MOTP stated: “The President explained that he had no objection to speaking with Mr. Jagdeo but as far as a proposed declaration is concerned, he recognised that the Commission had a legal obligation as a result of the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal, to proceed with a declaration.

Granger said that notwithstanding that declaration, the APNU+ AFC coalition maintains that the anomalies and irregularities which have been uncovered during the recount process cannot be accepted and will form the grounds for an election petition.”

NOT IN SUPPORT After the meeting reconvened at 14:00hours, only about 20 minutes later, GECOM’s Public Relations

GECOM Commissioners Charles Corbin (first left); Vincent Alexander (centre) and Desmond Trotman (Carl Croker photo) Officer (PRO), Yolanda (2)(b), it is worth restating Ward announced that the that Order 60 of 2020 reChief Elections Officer vealed that the numerical (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, count of the ballots cast for had submitted his Elections each list of candidates does Report in keeping with the not reflect the true will of Recount data. the electors. The evidence However, in the report, provided with respect to he made it clear: “In acSee page 10 cordance with Article 177

The results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections as signed by GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh (Carl Croker photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Taxi driver shot dead at Magic City Nightclub

THE Sunday morning shooting that took place at the Magic City Lounge Nightclub, which left one person dead and four other persons injured, is said to have started after a group of men walked into the club and saw a woman they were familiar with in the company of another man.

The shooting resulted in the death of 21-year-old taxi driver, Raymond Lindo, from Diamond Housing Scheme, who has had several brushes with law over the years, including being arrested along with five others on robbery charges in October 2018, where he is alleged to have acted as the getaway driver.

However, according to a source who claims to have been inside the club at the time, Lindo was hit by a stray bullet, and was not the actual target. Also among the injured is said to be, Edward Skeete, known as ‘Pretty Boy’, who is also known for

previous encounters with the law. Skeete has had several brushes with the law including armed robbery, and was charged with murder in 2011 and 2015. He was acquitted of the 2015 murder in 2018.

He is said to be in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Reports are that around 04:00hrs on Sunday, the gunshots rang out at the exotic bar which is located in Garnett Street, Kitty adjacent to the Fireside Grill. All of the injured were taken to the GPHC for treatment. The identities and other details of the other injured were not available up to press time.

Efforts to contact Regional Commander, Phillip Azure, and Acting Crime Chief, Michael Kingston, proved futile. Given the nature of the shooting, the source speculated that the shooting may have been gang related.

“Apparently they knew

Injured: Edward Skeete, aka ‘Pretty Boy’ some girl that was with one of the guys them and they were put out [of the Club] and they start a problem outside. It’s on the road the thing happen. It didn’t happen in the club. Some men on CG ride up the road firing off the guys. It’s some gang war or some stupidness. I don’t really understand it,” the source noted. An official from the nightclub noted that the shooting did not take

Dead: Taxi driver, Raymond Lindo place inside of the facility, and said that a private party was being hosted at the club at the time.

“It wasn’t a case where the altercation happened in the club. The altercation started in the club, but no shots were fired in the club.

It was outside at the parking lot at the back and on the road. The club wasn’t opened, it had a private par-

ty in the club. The gate was open so these men drive in thinking that the club was functional and walk in the back door and see some people in there. As far as we know they were put out because it was some persons in a private party,” the official noted.

It is unclear how the nightclub has been able to open its doors in direct violation of COVID-19 measures, which have been in effect since March. One person, speaking with the Guyana Chronicle under anonymity, confirmed witnessing the club in operation during the period.

“I know Magic City has been working as per usual for months despite the COVID-19 measures,” the individual noted. The official from the club defended the opening, saying that only private parties were being hosted at the facility. “At the end of the day we can’t allow

our business to die. When the COVID-19 came we were in a bad position because we had just done repairs. We hosted a few private parties because just like everyone else, we are under pressure due to the COVID-19,” the official said.

One resident who claims to live on Garnett Street in the vicinity of the club, took to social media last Sunday, and claimed that gunshots being fired at the spot has become a regular occurrence.

Another resident, speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, noted that in addition to gun shots, the back firing of the motorcycles of the patrons of the nightclub would often make similar sounds, which is what he initially thought was the case when he was awoken by the shooting on Sunday morning.

However, due to continuous shots, he surmised it was gun shots.

Small parties, GCCI congratulate Dr. Ali on presidency LEADER of the United Republican Party, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu, called on newly-elected President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, to pursue Electoral and Constitutional Reform, as that party and the Liberty Justice Party congratulated him on his ascension to the Presidency.

Also extending congratulatory messages was the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), which called on Ali to begin zoning in on the situation involving public health and the economic impact of the novel coronavirus.

President Ali was officially declared as Guyana’s 9th executive president last Sunday, following the submission of the Elections Report fo the March 2 General and Regional Elections, by the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The declaration was made by GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice Claudette Singh after she received the report. Ali was sworn

in shortly after by Chancellor (ag) of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

Ali was the Presidential candidate for the People’s Progressivie Party/ Civic, which obtained 33 seats based on the results of the national recount. The opposing A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition obtained 31 seats, and the joint small parties also picked up a seat.

“We take this opportunity to reaffirm the URP’s unequivocal commitment to the development of our beloved country Guyana.

You can count on our absolute support for your efforts. We look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our friendship and to advance our common objective of building a modern and safe Guyana every Guyanese will be proud of,” the URP said in its statement.

Last Sunday’s declarations brought an

end to the lengthened electoral process, which was marred with a number of impeding court cases since the March 2 elections were held.

“That the declaration took this long is a travesty and an event that has caused very serious societal fault lines that the people will now look to the incoming administration to take significant steps to heal,” the LJP said in its statement The party also alluded to the need for electoral reform, to ensure that, in future cases, the election process is clearer.

“The events leading up to these delayed results are matters that we hope the incoming administration treats with decisively to avoid future such events. We extend our gratitude to all the political parties that fought to defend democracy, the international community and partners, the Guyana Elections Commission and the patient Guyanese population,” the LJP said.

The GCCI, in its message, noted that it

looks forward to working with any democratically-elected president.

“The GCCI looks forward to working with H.E. Dr. Ali and the Government of Guyana on the task of nation-building and, in particular, private sector development.

However, a number of immediate challenges confront Guyana, foremost of which is the devastating public health and economic impact of the novel coronavirus. The Chamber anticipates a now fully functional Government to comprehensively address this pandemic which has had deleterious effects on the welfare of Guyanese,” the GCCI statement said, Adding that: “As said previously, the GCCI remains supportive of any government brought to power by the democratic process and will continue to act as a partner in nation-building as we all seek to develop this nation of ours. We anticipate Guyana’s continued development, for the benefit of the people of Guyana.”

Coalition to pursue elections ...

From page 9

voter impersonation has been verified by the relevant authorities by way of immigration records and deceased reports.”

In earlier reports rejected by the GECOM Chair, the CEO had noted that the National Recount uncovered massive irregularities and cases of voter impersonation.

A previous report of his stated that there were well over 2,000 irregularities that were unearthed during the recount from missing List of Electors to missing Oaths of Identity and Certificates of Employment.

It coincided with the position of the APNU+AFC which worked to uncover these cases. However, following a string of court battles on matters related to the elections and National Recount, on July 30, Guyana’s Court of Appeal upheld Order No.60. By

extension, the Court upheld the 33-day National Recount, on the grounds that any challenge to the legality of the process employed

by GECOM or allegations of electoral fraud or irregularities must be done in the form of an Elections Petition following the official declaration of the results of the elections.

As a result, and in respect of the directive to provide the said report by the GECOM Chair, he presented the Election Report which showed 33 seats for the PPP/C; 31 seats for the APNU+AFC and 1 seat for the joiner parties. When the matter of the declaration based on the recount data was put to a vote, the three Government-nominated Commissioners made known their non-support of a declaration on the said basis by leaving the meeting.

Around 14:30 hours they met with the media outside the Commission’s office with a written statement signed by Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman. They stated that since the passing of the no-confidence motion against the government in 2018 they have objected to the Court’s decision that the Elections Commission cannot compile a new Registrar of Registrants; the quashing of the house-to-house registration exercise; the misuse of Order No.60 and the use of corrupted figures to declare a result.

“We feel that every vote should be counted and no invalid vote should be allowed to impact the results. Any other approach will lead to another political saga in our country’s short but turbulent polit-

ical History. We are therefore distancing ourselves from any declaration other than a non-declaration and fresh elections,” they stated. The APNU+AFC has vowed that they will challenge the election result by way of an election petition as it cannot endorse a “flawed report”.

However, the rest of the day was followed quickly with signing of the declaration of the results by the GECOM Chair; a letter to the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards requesting that she facilitate the swearing-in of President-elect, Irfaan Ali and the subsequent swearing-in of Ali as President of Guyana at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) by 16:30 hours.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Afro-Guyanese ‘up-the-ante’ on Reparations from the State … seek to engage government on implementation at soonest

By Vishani Ragobeer

THE Guyana Reparations Committee has crafted their Ancestral Rights Bills for Reparatory Justice for descendants of Enslaved Africans, replete with a Perpetual Trust, to claim land reparations from the state.

In 2017, while appearing before the Land Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Guyana Reparations Committee chairman, Eric Phillips, said that 18 per cent of Guyana’s land (approximately 15,000 square miles) should be given to the descendants of enslaved Africans as part of the reparatory justice owed. This, he said then, would be done through an Ancestral Rights Bill.

On Saturday, during an online forum organised by International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G), in commemoration of Emancipation Day, it was made known that the African Ancestral Rights bill was completed and that it will be taken to the government for implementation at soonest.

“The Ancestral Rights Bill is designed to provide reparatory justice to descendants of Africans,” member of the organisation, Royston Peters said, adding, “Essentially, the parliamentary act legalises the provisions of lands, equal in area, to that indigenised by enslaved Africans.”

The bill provides for all descendants of enslaved Africans in Guyana, including mixed-race Afro-Guyanese, to benefit from these land reparations.

In Guyana, throughout the centuries of African Enslavement, 473,000 African lives were lost. Additionally, there were a myriad of injustices faced by the Africans who were brought to Guyana and the Caribbean to provide unpaid labour. The Africans worked on plantations, which gave massive profits to the European colonial masters and importantly, developed much of Guyana’s land during the period of enslavement and in the post-Emancipation period, through the Village Movement. “...Africans were not compensated for the centuries of forced labour (though their ‘owners were compensated for loss of their ‘property’) and their efforts at self advancement were deliberately smashed to meet the labour needs of the plantation.

The historic village movement buckled under the weight of oppression and sabotage,” Senior Lecturer at the University of Guyana, Dr. Melissa Ifill wrote recently.

It is for these reasons, Phillips argued on Saturday’s online forum, that this reparatory justice from the state was a just cause.

“Guyanese have already acknowledged reparations as a valid process through which the Amerindians would have gained their reparations,” Peters said, reminding that the Amerindian Act of 2006 provided the indigenous peoples with 13.8 per cent of Guyana’s land.

PERPETUAL TRUST The Ancestral Bill also includes the provision of a Perpetual Trust, which will be the mechanism for managing the land resources received.

Peters highlighted that this statutory trust will ensure that the proceeds from the land resources are invested in a manner which will continuously ameliorate the conditions of the descendants of the enslaved Africans in Guyana. “The descendants of enslaved Africans trust will be for the purpose of productive development for the mitigation and amelioration of current and future conditions of African-Guyanese,” Peters said.

In order to achieve this, he related that proceeds from these lands will be used to improve the lives and livelihoods of the descendants. This will be done through the provision of loans and grants, improving educational institutions, facilitating conferences and workshops, fostering community development, improvising productivity, inter alia. Peters also noted that the Trustees for the Perpetual Trust will be drawn from villages and wards developed and occupied by the formerly enslaved Africans and their descendants.

“These two significant instruments (the bill and the trust) are the core of specific justice management of the proceeds of our reparations or reparatory justice in the sense of African people in Guyana,” Peters said.

COURT ACTION Furthermore, Phillips indicated that the Committee looks forward to the bill being passed this year, or by next.

However, should there be opposition to the passage of the bill, the body is prepared to take the matter to the local courts, and if necessary, the International Court of Justice (ICJ). On the online forum, it was made known that there are several international provisions which pave the way for this reparatory justice from the state. African enslavement has been internationally recognised as a crime against humanity, These include the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination CERD, the Durban Declaration and the Programme of Action, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Currently, countries across the world are observing the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent.

“Because there is already precedent in Guyana, the Amerindian Act of 2006… we will petition our government very soon to go to parliament and have the (our) to get us reparatory justice,” Phillips said. Across the Caribbean, the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) has been working to garner reparations from the former colonising nations of Europe, namely the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Guy-

ana’s Reparations Committee falls under the CRC and the local body has been working along with the regional commission to engage the European nations to provide reparations for the crimes against humanity committed during the period of enslavement. CARICOM’s body has outlined a 10-point plan for reparations: the issuance of a full and formal apology; repatriation; indigenous peoples development programme; cultural institutions; alleviating the public health crisis, particularly the Caribbean’s susceptibility of chronic diseases (hypertension and diabetes) rooted in the plantation diet; illiteracy eradication; an African knowledge programme; psychological rehabilitation; technology transfer; and, debt cancellation. Phillips, Guyana’s lead person on the CRC, indicated that the Guyana Reparations Committee has a “two-pronged” claim for reparatory justice; justice is being claimed from Britain and Holland, and justice is being claimed from the Government of Guyana.

Guyana Reparations Committee Chairman, Dr. Eric Phillips “This is our quest, not only with the Guyana Reparations Committee but for all Africans and all African descendants in Guyana because Black Lives must matter,” he said.

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44 new cases of COVID-19

GUYANA, last Sunday, recorded its highest ever daily number of new COVID-19 cases, when 44 new cases of the virus were logged, of which all of the cases are said to be from the country’s interior locations, which continue to remain the epicentre.

The country’s total number of cases has now increased to 474.

Of the 44 cases recorded 42 are said to be from the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9), while the other two are said to be from the Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), at the border village of Itabac.

This brings the total number of cases in Region 9 to 93 cases, with the Region continuing to record successively high number of daily cases. Last Saturday the Region recorded 10 new cases, with three being from the Wowetta village; two from Aranaputa; and one each from Annai, Katuur, Baitoon, Potarinau, and Quarrie.

The Region’s Regional Health Officer, Naail Uthman, had noted just last Saturday that the Region “continues to ramp up its efforts to control the spread

of COVID-19 by increasing testing and contact tracing. Several teams are engaged in this activity in the districts”.

Last Friday the Region had sent some 142 samples to the reference lab from different districts.

The country, in the early days of the pandemic, had grown accustomed to Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) being the epicentre for the disease, but this has since changed, and Regions Seven and Nine are now the “hotspots” for the disease.

Region Nine shares a wide border with Brazil, where COVID-19 is rampant. Globally, Brazil ranks second for the most cases of COVID-19 after the United States of America.

This latest number comes after the country recorded its twenty-first COVID-19 related death last Saturday, after it was discovered that 34-year-old Doodkumar Sookraj who passed away on July 30 had tested positive for the virus.

With the latest increase, the number of persons under institutional quarantine has now increased to 268 up from 225 on the previous day. The number of persons

in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) however remains at three; and the number of persons in institutional quarantine remains 38.

Overall, thus far 185 persons have recovered from the virus; and a total of 4893 persons have been tested to date for the virus, of which 4419 were negative.

Guyana, on Thursday, took a major leap in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, with the commissioning of its new Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, at the site of the former Ocean View Hotel. This “leap” is expected to radically improve the quality of service and infrastructure for patients and staff, as the country continues to battle COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, which may arise in the future.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 16.8 million cases of COVID-19, with over 662,000 deaths.

And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease.

ECLAC calls for urgent regional co-operation beyond pandemic

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Fire razes Coalition candidate’s Linden home SEVEN persons have been left homeless after their Richmond Hill, Linden home was destroyed by fire on Saturday afternoon.

The wooden one-storey house belonged to Kevon Lorrimer, a Regional Candidate for the APNU+AFC coalition.

Lorrimer told the Guyana Chronicle that he left home with his entire family at about 12:05hrs on Saturday and headed for the Square of the Revolution in Georgetown to take part in the Emancipation celebration there.

He said that upon arriving at their destination, he checked his phone Kevon Lorrimer and noticed a message stating that his house was on fire.

“Right away my family and I left the Square of the Revolution and rushed back home,” the 30-year-old said, adding: “When we arrived to the house, it was completely burnt already; the fire was out, and nobody was there anymore.”

According to Commander of ‘E’ Division, Hugh Winter, the police received a call on Saturday at

… to foster more integration and avert food crisis THE Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, urged the region’s countries to implement urgent cooperation beyond the pandemic and foster greater productive, trade and social integration, during a virtual conference held last week under the organization of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the regional office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Other participants in the webinar entitled Multilateral Action to Prevent the Health Crisis from Becoming a Food Crisis included Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, in its capacity as President Pro Tempore of CELAC; Joseph Cox, Assistant Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Vinicio Cerezo, Secretary-General of the Central American Integration System (SICA); and Julio Berdegué, FAO’s Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean. Serving as moderator was Camila Zepeda, Director General for Global Issues at the Secretariat for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.

During her presentation, Alicia Bárcena emphasized that the region is at risk of experiencing a true food crisis. She specified that more than 96 million people will be living in extreme poverty – 11.8% of all people living in cities and 29% of the residents in rural areas.

“This is a huge warning, the income of households is declining along with their access to the food basket. It is not that there is a shortage of food, it is that people do not have the resources to be able to acquire it. This comes on top of the low

nutritional quality that people are experiencing, above all the poorest families,” she warned.

She added that in the region, we are in a lost decade in social and economic terms.

“This downturn will lead us to the worst crisis in a century: GDP will fall -9.1%, poverty will affect 37.3% of the population, and unemployment will reach 13.5%. In Central America and Mexico, the drop in GDP will be 8.4% with a big impact from the recession and unemployment in the United States. South America, meanwhile, will be the subregion most affected by the fall in international prices (-9.4%) due to its specialization in the production and exportation of commodities,” she said.

With regard to Caribbean countries, she indicated that while they have managed the pandemic crisis better in relative terms, they are experiencing a great plunge in tourism and have high external debt (68.5% of GDP). The GDP of the Caribbean will fall by -5.4%, she added.

ECLAC’s most senior representative added that governments have taken important measures, but they are not enough to account for the magnitude of the gap.

She explained that to confront the crisis, ECLAC proposes implementing an emergency basic income equivalent to one poverty line ($147 dollars) for six months, at a cost of 1.9% of GDP, along with an anti-hunger grant equivalent to 70% of one extreme poverty line ($57 dollars), which would cost 0.45% of GDP. The Commission also recommends longer repayment periods and grace periods for credits to Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and partial co-financing of the payroll; conditional support for at-risk big companies in strategic sectors; expansive and progressive fiscal

and monetary policies; and cooperation for financing under favorable conditions.

It also proposes a political compact for a welfare State and universal, progressive and distributive social policies aimed at dismantling the culture of privilege.

Alicia Bárcena noted that to prevent the health crisis from becoming a food crisis, ECLAC proposes (in addition to complementing the emergency basic income with the provision of an anti-hunger grant) the granting of subsidies, debt restructuring and/or liquidity provision for agricultural and food-related SMEs and for family businesses, to guarantee the production and distribution chain.

Furthermore, she called for deepening regional integration through greater resilience in production networks, diversifying suppliers in terms of countries and companies, favoring locations that are closer to final consumption markets, and relocating strategic production-related and technological processes.

The senior United Nations official warned about the fragility of multilateralism and its exacerbation with the unilateral restrictions placed on the exportation of medical supplies in more than 60 countries. She also explained that in the post-pandemic period, globalization will not be rolled back, but there will be a more regionalized global economy organized around 3 poles: Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Finally, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary highlighted the importance of CELAC for expressing the region’s needs and urgencies, with a single voice, on the international stage, primarily in areas such as the search for financial support for middle-income countries under flexible conditions and guaranteeing the unfettered movement of food, medicine and goods.

What’s left of Kevon Lorrimer’s home 13:00hrs saying that the Richmond Hill building was in flames. He said that the resident who reported the fire indicated that they’d heard an explosion and then noticed that the house was on fire.

The Guyana Fire Service and the Police are currently investigating the origin of the fire.

Meanwhile, Lorrimer, who is also an activist for the APNU+AFC coalition, stated that although the nature of the fire has not been confirmed as yet, he strongly believes that it was started by an arsonist.

“I’ve been very active on Facebook, showing support to Guyana’s Former President, Mr. David Granger and the Coalition,” he said. “I would also keep the public informed with the truth of politics and due to this I received several threats,” he added.

“About three days ago,” he recalled, “individuals were accusing me of filing criminal charges against the GECOM Chairman, and they said that they are fed-up talking, and they will act now. Also, the same day when the GECOM Chairman was slapped with criminal charges, a private number called me and it was a male. He said that he will put my house on fire,” the activist noted.

Following the threats, Lorrimer made reports to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Persons interested in supporting and giving contributions to the Lorrimer Family can call 592611-0200.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Co-operatives are the salvation of the village movement - Granger CO-OPERATIVE institutions are essential, particularly to the village movement, and the supporting of small and microbusinesses, however, they must take up a strict business model that needs to be respected by its participants, if they are to survive and thrive.

These thoughts were shared by former President, David Granger, last Friday, when he addressed a question on the importance of cooperative societies in African culture, while delivering remarks at a virtual Emancipation Eve event organised by the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana.

Cooperatives are considered an engine for affording opportunities for those who may not be able to access financing otherwise. In Guyana, plantations bought by ex-slaves in the 1830s and 1840s are considered to be the first form of cooperatives. The buying of the plantation also marked the start of the village movement.

Immediately post slavery, the freed Africans came together and pooled their pennies, carrying them in wheelbarrows, buckets, and any available container to purchase plantations and convert same to villages, which they owned together.

“Cooperativism was the salvation of village organisations. Especially for small and micro enterprises, cooperatives are ideal,” He said Adding that: “If I want to set up a small factory I can go to the cooperatives and get loans at very low rates. I couldn’t

go to the big banks and get the sort of money I need, and I need the cooperative to help me to set up those businesses for startup finance.”

Granger noted that he could not explain “in a nutshell” why the cooperative movement in Guyana declined, but pointed out that during it’s time many participants did not adhere to good business principles. “A lot of persons defaulted on their loans to the co-operative bank.

People must approach those co-op institutions as business institutions, not as an organisation for giving out money, and you don’t have a sense of responsibility to pay back those loans. I know that in some co-ops people borrowed money to live, to pay light bills and pay taxes and rent.

But that isn’t the purpose of co-operative society,” Granger noted.

Credit unions, box hand, co-operative societies, and penny banks are some examples of the form which co-operatives in Guyana take. However Granger noted that we must now move away from smaller examples and look at the bigger picture when we think of co-operative societies.

“We have to restart movements at village level [but]… we have to adopt strict business principles and not treat co-operatives as friendly societies. We have to move beyond friendly societies, and penny banks. The managers must be trained in business principles. Co-operatives in northern Europe are very successful,” he noted.

Co-operativism in Guyana took off in the 1970, and played a part in the country being named a Co-operative Republic, the first of it’s kind at the time. Hundreds of co-operative societies were established to support the farming, agro-processing, consumer marketing, and the transportation sector, reaching as many as 1440 cooperative societies in 1989.

However, following an assessment by the Ministry of Social Protection in 2016, it was revealed that of the 1268 cooperative societies registered, only approximately eight per cent were functioning in an accountable manner.

Many were plagued with issues of lack of accountability and transparency.

Several state institutions were also set up including the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB), which was sold in 2002 to a commercial bank. There were also the Guyana Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank (GAIBANK), which was closed in the early 1990s, and there is the Kuru-Kuru Co-operative College, which still remains in operation.

Many of the institutions were set up to support persons with finances in the acquisition and ownership of land, education, homes, vehicles, business and other forms of investment. “Co-operatives are important for farming, marketing, exportation, getting raw materials and commodities, fertilisers, etc. Especially in agriculture, agriculture will always have peaks and troughs. Guyana rains never

Former President, David Granger fail, every May/June the rains will come and fields will flood and farmers will find it difficult and need money to tide you over,” Granger reasoned.

“We must have a sense of responsibility because co-ops are ideal. We need to be serious about it. So let us continue to work towards that goal.”

Over the past few years there have been steps to reinvigorate cooperatives in Guyana.

In 2017 the Guyana National Cooperative Union Limited was resuscitated, which is responsible for overseeing the co-operative movement in Guyana.

UNDP recommends rehabilitation to reduce prison population THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a recent report has suggested the use of rehabilitation programmes to help reduce the high prison population in Guyana.

In the report, ‘Caribbean Justice Report: A Needs Assessment Of The Judicial System in Nine Countries’ the UNDP highlighted that there is a lack of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the country which sees matters being settled in a cheaper and faster way without resorting to the courts.

Such a resolution the UNDP stated, will welcome a third party that will assist individuals who commit petty crimes to work through their disputes which can be settled without public trial and offer better rehabilitation and promising results than prison time.

Additionally, the report stated that Guyana has been heavily dependent on custodial sentencing, particularly for persons charged with petty offenses. Those offenses include non-violent and petty crimes including minor drug possession, petty theft, traffic infractions, among other things that contributed to the increase in Guyana’s prison population.

The UNDP report also specified that there are five prison facilities in Guyana where more than 2,000 inmates were being housed up to the end of 2019. These facilities are all overcrowded which resulted the deadly fire at the

main prison at Camp Street in 2017.

Nevertheless, in light of expansions at the Mazaruni

Prison in Region Seven which is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, the UNDP said it still believes that rehabilitation is necessary for lowering the prison populations and improving accommodation.

The UNDP has since recommended the use of rehabilitation programmes, which promotes re-integration into society. These programmes may include vocational workshops (that teach vital trade skills), soft skills, and follow-ups by parole officers to ensure that relapses are minimised.

The report recommended that Guyana decriminalise certain offences such as possession of small amounts of narcotics which has been taken into consideration The organisation also said that based on their observations, promising results were shown with the use of this system even though there were cases of relapse.

Based on Guyana Prison Service report, in 2017 some 254 males and 11 females relapsed into the prison system.

In 2018, there were 306 males and 19 females while last year, 197 males and four females. An earlier IDB support for the Criminal Justice System Project document notes that custodial sentences for persons charged with non-violent and petty offences increase the prison population.

It was indicated that the majority of these cases stemmed from having little to no proper reintegration programme into society.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

27 businesses vie for SBB’s million-dollar fund A TOTAL of 27 businesses have submitted proposals to become possible million-dollar winners of the Green Business Technology Fund set up by the Small Business Bureau (SBB).

This was confirmed to newspaper by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SBB, Dr. Lowell Porter. The Fund, for which submissions closed on July 30, invited small start-up and existing businesses with innovative green business ideas and solutions to apply to be one of 12 lucky winners awarded up to $1 million to assist with the development of their business.

While the deadline was initially pegged at July 15, it was extended to cater for additional entries. To apply, applicants had to submit a typed business proposal of not more than 20 pages detailing their idea, a development plan of the solution, implementation strategy and outreach strategy among other criteria.

The submissions w i l l n o w b e r e - Chief Executive Officer viewed and sent to a (CEO) of the Small Business panel of judges who Bureau, Dr. Lowell Porter will further select the lucky twelve.

However, applicants will be required to make an in-person pitch before the judges. The proposals will primarily be judged on innovation, strategy and potential growth to a sustainable business enterprise.

For existing businesses interested in the programme, it is expected that they also submit records of past financial performance, registration and other relevant business documentation.

“We wanted to do something that is in line with the GSDS, and the ‘greening’ of the economy. A lot of times we talk about these things but we don’t put them into action or you don’t see them happening,” Dr. Porter explained.

Meanwhile, SBB’s Marketing Officer, Shamane Headley has stated: “We have external members from the business and professional community who judge the proposals, such as business owners, CEOs and those types of persons. Every year the judges change.”

The winners will be announced within a month.

Since the project started in 2017, winners have included owner of One Cart Dash, Fendel Etwaroo, and creator of bartering app “Swopp” Shemar Spencer.

Headley also noted: “The businesses that we’ve helped include online service providers, and a delivery service provider who uses modern technology. We’ve also helped agricultural business projects that employ new technology to research rice production, an online small business market place [and] a new tea company.

We’ve also had agri-based businesses that incorporate modern technology to convert waste into fuel and other nutritional support for plants and so on.”

The SSB is a semi-autonomous agency established under the Ministry of Business, based on the Small Business Act of 2004.

It was established in 2010, and became operational in 2013 with funding from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), for the ‘Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED Programme).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

M&CC looks to develop vending policy THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has embarked on an initiative to develop a Vending Policy, which will ensure consistent operations at the various marketplaces, and influence the operation of vendors.

In a statement, the Municipality noted that it will be gathering data on the views and opinions of vendors, as the Council, via a survey, will ensure that all stakeholders are involved in consultations before the policy is activated.

Vendors at the Stabroek Market The information gathered from the vendors will be used to compile the final draft of the policy. “It is absolutely necessary at this juncture that the Council implement a policy to guide and control the vending activities along the city’s streets. Vending has become (a) means of earning a livelihood for many single parents who reside in Georgetown and other rural areas,” City Hall said in the statement.

The proposed policy, the M&CC said, will provide a legal framework within which vendors can operate, as it sets out to make vending a special component of urban development by allowing for zoning. Issues such as hygiene practices, disposal of waste, and legitimate representation are some of the issues being addressed in the documents.

The policy will also consider every facet of vending, including seasonal, night, mobile and itinerant operations. “The Council is encouraging vendors to cooperate with officers to gather information on their views,” City Hall said, adding: “The Council continues to seek to provide creative ways for vendors to ply their trade in the city. The Council has always sought to use creative and amicable ways to address the vending issue.”

In 1976, the Council responded to the needs of the vending population by constructing the Vendors’ Arcade. In 1988, the Stabroek Bazaar was constructed.

In order to bring relief to those seeking a venue to ply their trades, the municipal facility was constructed. In 1990, two sections of Merriman Mall were identified to allow vendors to operate. Most recently, in 2009, the New Vendors’ Mall on Water Street was established.

The Georgetown Municipality has been seeking to draft laws to govern the number of stalls a market vendor can own since August 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Players committed to fitness during lockdown will shine in 2020 Hero CPL

By Clifton Ross

fitter than ever or hungrier than ever after being away WITH the 2020 edition from the field for a lengthy of the Hero Caribbean stretch. CPL, over the Premier League (CPL) years, has evolved from set to bowl off in a few more than a bunch of playweeks, all eyes will be ers representing a specific fixed on the level of franchise to somewhat of cricket which will be on a family-like atmosphere. display.

Much of that credit Dubbed as one of the could be given to the early more exciting T20 tour- encampment which would naments in the cricketing give the players ample world, COVID-19 has time to gel and commence possibly thrown a wrench work on their game plans, into the wheels by rob- while, most importantly, bing franchises of crucial having a bird’s eye view encampment time which of players progress, fitplays the biggest role in ness-wise, etc. players and coaches gellA number of top reing ahead of the tourna- gional stars are renowned ment. for their dedication to The time spent home working out regardless of will be beneficial for the cricketers who have been a pandemic. Veteran cricktasked with staying in eters like Darren Sammy, peak physical condition Marlon Samuels, Dwayne despite being away from Bravo, Kieron Pollard and team training and gym ses- others have been known to sions for about 5 months; keep themselves in shape similar to how the Nation- throughout the year. al Basketball Association Some of the current (NBA) managed to control generation of players, like the health and safety of its Guyanese Shimron Hetplayers and teams which ymer, Romario Shepherd, are currently playing in Sherfane Rutherford and the Disney Land ‘Bubble’. other high-profile WarCricketers will now riors’ players, are prodre-enter the world of live ucts of the CGI academy action and likely put on system. one of the best tournaAlthough the outbreak ments in recent times, inevitably resulted in a thanks mainly to the pro- nationwide lockdown, by longed rest and recovery tradition, the Guyana Jagfrom any niggles they may uars have been the fittest have picked up prior to the Regional 4-Day team in pandemic. the last 6 years, resulting One downside is that in their 5 consecutive title teams have not been able wins which sadly ended to commence encamp- this year. ment, which, in the past, A fews months off the usually bowls off at least training schedule will not one month prior to the affect the hardened Jags start of the season. players, both in the acadeThis season is ex- my and national setup, afpected to get underway ter years of being exposed from August 18, which is to training almost daily roughly 2 weeks and a few since 2014; mainly due to days away. But with the the team’s strict policies covid-19 rates still spiking on training and keeping fit. globally, regionally and With Guyana’s crickhere in Guyana, it remains et academy system beuncertain how much time ing hailed as the best in will be granted for teams the Caribbean by Cricket to gel and have a bit of West Indies (CWI), it’s time to train as a unit. safe to say that players A few of the local from Guyana who will be Guyana Amazon Warriors playing in this year’s CPL stars have been keeping will have a clear advanthemselves in shape thanks tage over the rest of playto the Cricket Guyana Inc. ers thanks to them being (CGI) daily virtual train- products of the academy. ing sessions. However, Such facts could be isolated workouts, hitting confirmed once the tourthe weights at home or nament is successfully any form of improvised hosted in a few weeks training can’t compensate when cricketers from for the real-time feeling of Guyana will be tasked training with teammates with living up to their and coaches. reputation of being Due to the current cir- match-ready all year cumstances, it’s arguable round. that players can come out

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Hamilton wins with punctured tire

(BBC)- Lewis Hamilton took an extraordinary victory in a dramatic finish to the British Grand Prix despite suffering a puncture on the last lap.

The Mercedes driver’s left-front tyre failed halfway around the last lap but he held on in front of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Verstappen would have won had he not stopped late for fresh tyres in a successful quest for the point for fastest lap.

Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas also punc-

tured, two laps earlier, which dropped him out of the points.

The Finn finished 11th and dropped to 30 points behind Hamilton in the title race, a potentially devastating blow to his hopes so early in a season truncated by the coronavirus.

McLaren’s Carlos Sainz was a third driver to suffer a left-front puncture, his like Hamilton’s on the last lap, and he dropped from fourth place to 13th.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was promoted from fourth to

the final podium spot by the late drama.

Late drama leads to seismic moment It was a remarkable finish to a race that had been soporific until that point, and Hamilton recognised that afterwards, saying over the radio, his voice drenched in relief: “That was close.”

The Mercedes drivers had been nursing their tyres after making an earlier than expected pit stop because of the second of two safety cars.

They stopped to change

Hamilton is now a seven-time British Grand Prix winner

from medium to hard tyres on lap 13, very early to make it to the end of the race on one set of hard tyres.

They were clearly managing their pace from then on, but despite that dark rings appeared on their tyres as the race moved into the closing stages.

But there was no real sign of the drama to come until Bottas’ left front tyre deflated shortly after starting lap 50, with two to go.

The Finn limped around almost an entire lap and was too far back to get into the points.

Hamilton looked then to be cruising to the flag, until he too suffered a puncture, this time heading down the back straight towards Brooklands.

Then it was a question of whether he could get around the remainder of the lap - more than half of it - before Verstappen caught him.

Hamilton said: “Until the last lap, everything was relatively smooth sailing.

“The tyres felt great. Valtteri was really pushing incredibly hard and I was doing some management of that tyre and he looked like he wasn’t doing any.

“When (his) tyre went, everything seemed fine, so I was thinking maybe it was OK. And then just down the straight it deflated.

“Then just driving it sometimes it will come off and break the wing. I nearly didn’t get round the last two corners. Maybe we should have stopped towards the end when we saw the delaminations (on

the other cars).”

Hamilton said his engineer Peter Bonnington was counting down the gap to Verstappen over the radio as he neared the flag.

“The car seemed to turn OK through Maggotts and Becketts,” Hamilton said, “and then it was a real struggle in the last two corners. I could hear the gap coming down from 19 to 10. I could hear out of the last corner him going, ‘Nine, eight, seven,’ and I was just like: ‘Get back on the gas.’”

It was a dramatic finish to a race that could well have an equally substantial impact on the championship fight.

A frenetic midfield battle Following Sainz’s late puncture, Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo came out on top in a close midfield battle, passing the other McLaren of Lando Norris late in the race, while the Australian’s team-mate Esteban Ocon took sixth.

Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly drove a strong race to seventh, including a brave pass on Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel around the outside of Stowe and then taking the inside for the tight left-hander at Vale that follows.

And Red Bull’s Alexander Albon recovered to eighth after being penalised - harshly in some eyes - for a collision with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen at Club on the first lap, an incident that brought out the first of two safety cars.

Albon seemed to legitimately go for an opportunity created by the Dane’s error in

clipping the kerb on the exit of Vale and was almost completely alongside the Haas, before backing out to try to avoid a collision when he realised Magnussen was coming across, the cars hitting front wheel to rear.

Albon was at the back when Red Bull pitted him for fresh tyres after the safety car period had ended. But he stuck with it, and a second stop for tyres later in the race dropped him to last but enabled him to attack in the closing laps.

The second safety car was triggered on lap 12 by a heavy crash for Gasly’s team-mate Daniil Kvyat at the flat-out Maggots corner.

The team initially blamed the incident on a driver error, saying he clipped a kerb while making a switch change on his steering wheel.

But Kvyat later said on social media that the team had reviewed the video and they “saw that something happened out of my control, so we will need to check all the data to understand what exactly caused the failure”.

Williams’ George Russell took 12th, ahead of Sainz, the Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi and Russell’s team-mate Nicholas Latifi.

Haas driver Romain Grosjean, who was given a black-and-white warning flag during the race as well as an official warning after the race for dangerous defensive driving, finished 16th while the second Alfa of a struggling Kimi Raikkonen, who also suffered a front-left puncture, finished 17th.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

“Unfeasible” for Barcelona to re-sign Neymar

It is “unfeasible” for Barcelona to re-sign Neymar from Paris St-Germain in the current economic climate, says the club’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu.

A move for Inter Milan striker, Lautaro Martinez, has also been affected.

Bartomeu told Spanish newspaper, Sport, that Barca generated 200m Euros less than expected between March and June because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“All the big European clubs are affected,” he said. “This isn’t going to last a year, but three or four.”

Brazilian forward, Neymar, joined PSG for a world record 222m Euros (£199m) in August 2017 but Barcelona tried to resign the player last summer.

“Neymar? In this situation, it’s unfeasible,” said Bartomeu.

“Nor does PSG want to sell him.

“Barca have spoken with Inter about Lautaro, but the talks have stopped. The situa-

tion doesn’t invite large investments.”

Bartomeu went on to explain that Barcelona lost 200m euros between March and June.

He added: “In the 2020-21 season we expected to post 1.1 bn euros, but we’ll have 30% of that.

“If the situation of the pandemic doesn’t improve, there will be no spectators, no museum, no stores open, and money will continue to be lost.

“It forces us to be very rig-

No public risk of COVID 19 from CPL – Rowley

CMC – Teams and officials are set to start arriving here Monday for the Caribbean Premier League, scheduled to bowl off later this month but Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has assured the country that the staging of the Twenty20 franchise tournament will not pose a risk to public health amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Rowley, currently bidding for re-election in polls carded for August 10, stressed that the August 18 to September 10 event would be executed inside a “bubble” at the Hilton Hotel with all persons involved subjected to the rigorous protocols already in place.

“Everything that will go on around the CPL will go on in a bubble that does not interact with the national population,” Rowley said. “[Arriving players and officials] would be coming into the country under the protocols of entry all having tested negative before. When they come here they are confined

to the Hilton Hotel and that becomes a bubble for them.”

He added: “[These persons] will go to a venue to play the game where they will not interact with the population. So therefore the CPL is a bubble that has nothing to do with what goes on with the population in the country.”

Trinidad has been widely praised for its handling of the crisis, with only 173 confirmed cases and eight deaths so far recorded.

For the first time in its eight-year history, CPL matches are being played in one territory due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Some 33 matches are set to be played behind closed doors at Queen’s Park Oval in the capital here and at the Brian Lara Stadium in Couva, located in central Trinidad.

Players will be tested before departing their respective jurisdictions and then again on arrival here, and will spend the first two weeks quarantined.

CPL organisers said re-

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cently there had been close collaboration between their medical panel and the Trinidad and Tobago government and health authorities, in ensuring a safe bio-secure environment within which the tournament would take place.

“The CPL have worked with the Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Health and the CPL’s own board of medical advisors to create protocols which minimize risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus to the population of Trinidad and in amongst those who will be travelling to Trinidad & Tobago from overseas,” organisers said.

“Teams and officials will be put into “households” where social distancing will need to be in place. There will be smaller clusters within each household where these measures can be relaxed.

“However, if any member of this cluster display signs of COVID-19 at any time during the tournament all members of that cluster will be expected to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the time that a member of that group first shows symptoms.

“All members of the CPL party will be subject to regular temperature checks and will be re-tested for the virus throughout their stay in Trinidad and again before departure.”

Barbados Tridents, led by Test captain Jason Holder, will defend the title they won last year when they stunned Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final.

Three-time champions Trinbago Knight Riders along with St Lucia Zouks, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Jamaica Tallawahs, will contest the tournament.

TKR clash with Amazon Warriors in the tournament opener on August 18 at the Brian Lara Stadium.

orous in management: we must review which investments are essential and which can wait.”

Bartomeu also confirmed the club opened up disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Arthur, who is joining Juventus as part of a swap deal with Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic, after he failed to return to the club from holiday.

“We reached the agreement that until the Champions League ended, he would continue playing for Barca. He could help us,” said Bartomeu, who has been Barca president since 2014.

“But he didn’t return from his mini-break so we have opened a file on him.”

Neymar is “unfeasible” for Barcelona to resign says the club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

IPL set for September 19 start date in UAE (ESPNCRICINFO) - IPL 2020 will take place in the UAE from September 19 to November 10, pending clearances from the Indian government.

During its meeting on Sunday, the IPL governing council decided to set a 24-player limit for each squad, and approved the use of unlimited Covid-19 substitutes.

The window makes IPL 2020 a 53-day event, three days longer than the last two seasons, and the longest of all the eight-team editions of the tournament. Ten of the

53 days will involve double-headers. The matches will be played across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with night matches starting at 7.30pm IST (6.00pm UAE time), and afternoon matches at 3.30pm IST (2.00pm UAE time).

A franchise told ESPNcricinfo that detailed fixtures would be sent to them on Monday, and that the first leg of the tournament will be played behind closed doors. The Emirates board, earlier this week, had shown a keenness to fill the stadiums to 30-50% capacity.

A BCCI release said the

Women’s T20 Challenge would also take place alongside the IPL, featuring three teams playing four matches during the final week of the tournament. The release added that the governing council would finalise and publish its standard operating procedures (SOPs) “in due course, including the agencies to execute and deliver a bio-secure environment for safe and successful conduct of IPL 2020 Season.”

In the lead-up to the meeting, it was understood that the date for the final was

a toss-up between November 8 and November 10. With the latter date chosen, the IPL will for the first time have the final on a weekday - Tuesday.

The BCCI said a meeting with the franchises would be called shortly, and among the logistical and operational issues that will be discussed before the SOPs are ready, three franchises - Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Kings XI Punjab - will likely be seeking clarity on the squad limit, given that all three of them currently have 25 players listed in

their squads on the official IPL website.

The IPL will retain all its major sponsor, including the Chinese mobile company VIVO, the title sponsor. The topic of Chinese sponsors has been a contentious one in recent weeks, given the cross-border tensions between India and China.

In April, the BCCI postponed the 2020 IPL season indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The board’s first preference was to stage the event in India, but the rapidly increasing count of coronavirus cases

in the country has made that unfeasible. The total count of confirmed cases in India has shot past the 1.75 million mark, which puts the country place behind only the USA and Brazil worldwide.

On July 21, Brijesh Patel, the chairman of the IPL governing council, announced that plans were afoot to hold the tournament in the UAE. Part of the 2014 edition was also held in the UAE, since it coincided with the general elections in India.

Kyrgios withdraws from the US Open (BBC) - Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the US Open because of the coronavirus pandemic, saying it “hurts me at my core” to miss the tournament.

Fellow Australian and women’s world number one, Ashleigh Barty withdrew earlier this week.

In a video on social media, Kyrgios, 25, also criticised the behaviour of some players during the pandemic.

“Let’s take a breath here and remember what’s important, which is health and safety as a community,” said Kyrgios.

“We can rebuild our sport and the economy, but we can never recover lives lost.”

The world number 40 added: “It hurts me at my core not to be out there competing in one of the sport’s greatest arenas, Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“But I’m sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds and thousands of Americans that have lost their lives, for all of you.

It’s my decision.”

Last month, the Australian said the United States Tennis Association (USTA) was “selfish” for staging the New York tournament, which starts on 31 August.

The event is set to be held without fans at Flushing Meadows with players having to follow strict measures.

Murray ‘willing to risk’ playing in US after injury problems Britain’s former world number one Andy Murray is planning to play, saying he is “willing to take a risk” after being hampered by injury in recent years.

The 33-year-old Scot has played singles in only two

of the past 10 Grand Slams, stretching back to Wimbledon in 2017, after two major hip operations.

“The situation I’ve been in the last few years I’ve not had the opportunity to play in many Slams,” said Murray, who won the first of his three Grand Slam titles at the 2012 US Open.

“I don’t know how many opportunities I’ll have left to play in Slams, so while I’m feeling relatively decent, I want to try and play in them and enjoy the biggest events again. I’ve missed that a lot.”

Kyrgios says he does not have a problem with the USTA or for players wanting to compete “so long as everyone acts appropriately and acts safely”.

Kyrgios has been a critic of men’s world number one Novak Djokovic’s decision

to stage exhibition events during the pandemic, with a number of players who took part then testing positive for the virus, including the Serb.

“Tennis players, you have to act in the interest of each other and work together,” added Kyrgios.

“You can’t be dancing on tables, money grabbing your way around Europe or trying to make a quick buck hosting an exhibition. That’s just so selfish. Think of the other people for once, that is what this virus is about, it doesn’t care about your world ranking or how much money you have.”

Analysis Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent Kyrgios’ decision is no surprise, but the timing very pertinent on the day the Australian city of Melbourne

Kyrgios has never got past the third round of the US Open

announced a nightly curfew.

Another Australian, the world number one Ashleigh Barty, withdrew from the US Open last week, and there are likely to be more omissions when the entry list is published in the next few days.

Kyrgios does not take issue with the US Open itself going ahead: his argument is

with those playing fast and loose with the rules.

And once again, in this social media post, he highlights what he considers irresponsible and selfish behaviour by some of those involved in recent exhibition matches in Europe and the United States.

Lowry star as Raptors beat Lakers (BBC) - Kyle Lowry starred in the Toronto Raptors’ 107-92 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Orlando.

The 34-year-old finished with 33 points, 14 rebounds and six assists while London-born OG Anunoby contributed 23 points.

LeBron James led the Lakers’ charge with 20 points but could not prevent an 11th consecutive loss to the Raptors.

“Against a couple of great guys, we came in wanting to play well and we did a good job,” Lowry said.

The game was played on the third day of regular-season games inside the

quarantine ‘bubble’ at Disney World in Florida, following a four-month shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Lakers remain top of the Western Conference at 50-15 while Toronto sit second in the Eastern Conference at 47-18, as the season nears the play-offs.

Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (right) comes up against LA Lakers’ LeBron James in Orlando, Florida

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 3, 2020

Broad considered retirement after West Indies snub

(BBC) - England seam bowler, Stuart Broad, said he considered retirement after being dropped for last month’s opening Test of the summer against West Indies.

Broad, 34, was left out at Southampton, where West Indies won by four wickets.

He returned for the final two Tests, both won by England, and took 16 wickets to pass 500 for his career.

“Were there thoughts of retirement going round my head? 100%.

Because I was so down,” Broad told the Mail on Sunday.

“I was expecting to play, which is always a bit of a dangerous thing

in sport, but I felt I deserved to play.

“When Stokesy [Ben Stokes] told me I wasn’t playing, I felt my body go into shakes. I could barely speak.”

Only six other bowlers in history have taken more Test wickets than Broad, who has played 140 Test matches.

The 16 wickets he took in the final two Tests against West Indies at Old Trafford came at an average of 10.93.

He added: “I have not really told anyone this, but I was so down that week of the first Test, I was really low.

I was stuck in that hotel. I couldn’t go anywhere. It wasn’t like I could go back to [girlfriend] Mollie and have a

barbeque and chill out and re-assess.

“I didn’t sleep for two days. I was nowhere. A different decision could definitely have been made with my emotions of how I was feeling.”

Broad, who is now targeting 600 Test wickets, also revealed that Stokes, who was captaining in England in the first Test in the absence of Joe Root, then played a key role.

“Stokesy knocked on my door on the Thursday night and stayed in the corridor to talk to me. He said: ‘This isn’t about cricket, but how are you, mate?’ That was very impressive for him to do.”

Broad made his Test debut in

2007 and for most of his career has been bracketed with new ball partner Anderson, 38, England’s record Test wicket-taker, who has 589 wickets, having made his debut in 2003.

“Do I think I’m in England’s best XI? Absolutely. Do I think Jimmy Anderson is in England’s best XI? Absolutely,” he said.

“There is no doubt that Jimmy and I have got better. No doubt.

“The last 18 months, I have been averaging 20.5 per wicket in Test cricket. Take age out of that. If anyone were doing that at any age, you would want to keep them around for a bit and not look past it.”

Stuart Broad holds the ball aloft after taking a six-wicket haul © Getty Images

Broad, Stokes-- the ‘Batman & Robin’ of England’s series win -Broad second youngest to 500 Test wickets

By Clifton Ross England’s superstar duo of Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes single-handedly engineered a historic come-from-behind series win over West Indies; as the hosts destroyed their old rivals in both the batting and bowling departments.

Joe Root and his men will now retire the Wisden Trophy which is being substituted with the Richards/ Botham Trophy for future series between the two sides, honoring their legendary cavaliers Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Ian Botham.

Looking at the two departments respectively, England outplayed the Windies in both key aspects of the game which batting and bowling.

Even fielding-wise, the home team continued to set the benchmark for

other side with regard to impressive fielding in English conditions.

Windies had a stop-start series as a number of batsmen like Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite and Roston Chase looked set for a big score at least by the end of the 3 matches. Sadly, it was the 3 aforementioned batsmen who managed to squeeze their way into the top 10.

Coming in at number 4 was the Windies’ best batsman Blackwood who had the team’s top individual score of 95, finished with 211 runs at an average of 35.16 with two fifty plus scores.

Fifth place saw the classy Shamarh Brooks again showing his talents, narrowly missing the 200-run mark. The Barbados stroke-maker finished with an average of 48 plus and had two key

back-to-back knocks of 62 and 68 in the 2nd Test.

Opener Brathwaite landed the 6th spot with 176 runs and 2 half-centuries under his belt including a gritty top-score of 75. His fellow Bajan countryman Chase, sealed off the 7th and last spot with 157 runs and 51 being his highest score.

With only 4 batsmen in the top 10 ranks, it was pretty clear that England dominated that department.

Stand-in skipper for the first Test Ben Stokes warranted his promotion and trust from the England camp as he finished the series in the number one spot.

The all-rounder smoked a magical 176 in the second Test, the highest individual score of the series. The 29 year-old finished with a whopping 363 runs at a staggering

average of 90.75 thanks mainly to his century and the 78 not out which he scored in the same match The battle for second leading run-getter in the series saw a friendly tussle between openers Dom Sibley and Rory Burns. Burns won the encounter by a few runs, amassing 234 runs with 2 fifties and a best of 90 while Sibley, who came in 3rd played equally fell to end the series with 226 runs.

Sibley however finished with the better batting stats, as the righthander chalked up classy scores of 50, 120 and 56 in the three respective Test matches. Wicket-keeper/ batsman Jos Buttler (151 runs), Ollie Pope (134 runs) and captain Joe Root who missed the first game (130 runs); sealed off the 8th, 9th and 10th spots.

There was stiff competition however in the bowling departments, as the West Indies pacers got off to a lethal start after winning the

first game for their team. Although Shannon Gabriel made a superstar comeback from injury to bag a total of 11 wickets which put in the number 3 position for most scalps in the series; it was Stuart Broad who dominated the tour with ball in hand.

Broad became only the fourth fast-bowler and 7th overall to join the elite esteemed members of 500-plus wickets in Test cricket Club. At 34 years of age, the rightarm quick also became the second youngest to achieve this feat, trailing the great Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who did it when was 31 years-old.

His 10 wickets in the 3rd Test, the only 10-fer by a bowler in the series was instrumental in snuffing out the Windies who lost by a mammoth 269 runs, despite rain ruling out play on the penultimate day of play.

Backup came from fellow

right-arm pacer Chris Woakes who tied with Gabriel for 11 wickets but finished in 2nd position due to his average of 16.63 compared to the West Indian speedster’s 32.27.

Again is was a 6-4 ratio win for England, who had 6 of their ball operators finish in the top 10 while West Indies just had four bowlers who stood out. Outside of the top 3 bowlers, only Windies Captain Jason Holder who came in 4th and the all-rounder Chase who ended in the 5th spot; with 10 wickets apiece, reached double figures in scalps.

Broad also joined the history books as a batsman after his 62 in the 2nd innings of the last match was among the fastest in Test cricket for his country. In all, England ticked all the necessary boxes; bowlers were consistent in their returns, fielding was on point and their batsmen did well to convert a few of their starts to hundreds.

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19

Players committed to fitness during lockdown will shine in 2020 Hero CPL

Twenty matches of the 2014 IPL were also played in the UAE BCCI

The Guyana Amazon Warriors are ready to chase that elusive CPL trophy

IPL set for September 19 start date in UAE See story on page 22

See story on page 21

No public risk of COVID 19 from CPL – Rowley In this handout image provided by CPL T20, Jason Holder captain of Barbados Tridents lifts the Hero CPL trophy during the Hero Caribbean Premier League Final between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents at Brian Lara Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Tarouba, Trinidad And Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen - CPL T20/ CPL T20 via Get

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MONDAY,AUGUST 3, 2020