Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_30_05_2020

SATURDAY 30th May, 2020

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‘600 not in GT but voted’ No.106014

…Coalition submits list of persons who were not in country but listed as voted

SEE PAGE 13

…says feedback from Immigration Department favourable

Protestors, in Minneapolis, demonstrate outside a burning fast food restaurant, Friday, May 29 (John Minchillo/AP)

Giftland Mall owes 10 City Council over $103M PAGE

- as council struggles to find finance to run city

ICJ sets June 30 for 03 border controversy hearing PAGE

Elderly woman, child crushed by tree -Family was camping out to stay safe from COVID-19 23 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

Golden Anniversary!

David Granger and Sandra Chan-A-Sue were married at Christ Church 50 years ago on 30th May 1970.

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary today. The President and Mrs. Granger were married at Christ Church on 30th May 1970. Congratulations to the First Couple on this their Golden Anniversary. Above is a photograph of the President and First Lady on their wedding day.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

ICJ sets June 30th for border controversy hearing

THE International Court of Justice (ICJ) has set public hearings on the long-awaited Arbitral Award of 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) case for June 30, 2020, by video conference.

The hearings were initially scheduled for March 23 to 27, 2020 but the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic derailed those plans. In a release on Friday, the ICJ stated that the public hearings will open on Tuesday June 30, 2020 at 14:00 hours at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court. The programme of the hearings will be announced at a later stage.

“In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will take place in the Great Hall of Justice using videoconference technology and with the physical presence of some Members of the Court. Members of the media and the public will be able to follow the oral proceedings on internet through a live webstream,” the ICJ advised.

The hearing will determine whether the Court has jurisdiction over the case filed by Guyana on March 29, 2018. Guyana seeks to obtain, from the Court, a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

Guyana brought its case to the Court following the decision by the Secretary-Gen-

The International Court of Justice

eral of the United Nations, in January 2018, that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the ICJ. In taking his decision, the Secretary-General was exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom (UK) to decide how the dispute should be settled.

Venezuela has claimed, in a letter to the Court, that the Secretary-General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and that the Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate

Guyana’s lawsuit.

On this basis, Venezuela indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings. On November 19, 2018, Guyana submitted its Memorial to the Court refuting Venezuela’s arguments and demonstrating that the Court has jurisdiction.

Under well-established judicial precedent, the Court will proceed to decide if it has jurisdiction over Guyana’s case, irrespective of whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings. If it decides that it has jurisdiction, the Court will proceed to rule on the merits

of those claims, and decide whether the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the border between the two States should be confirmed.

Under the United Nations (UN) Charter and the Court’s own rules, its final judgements both on jurisdiction and the merits will be legally binding on Guyana and Venezuela, whether or not Venezuela participates in the proceedings. In its submission, Guyana pointed out that the boundary with Venezuela was established by an arbitral tribunal constituted pursuant to a treaty concluded by Venezuela and

Great Britain in 1897.

It said the record would show that Venezuela accepted the unanimous award rendered by five eminent jurists on October 3, 1899.

The Spanish-speaking country had also participated in a joint commission to demarcate the boundary on the ground, and insisted on the award’s strict implementation.

Decades later, Venezuela, in anticipation of Guyana’s independence, ceased recognising the award’s validity and binding nature, using that pretext to lay claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s

territory. The tension intensified after significant quantities of oil was discovered by U.S. oil giant, ExxonMobil, offshore Guyana in 2015.

Guyana was keen on pointing out that for efforts over more than half-a-century, including a four-year Mixed Commission (19661970), a 12-year moratorium (1970-1982), a seven-year process of consultations on a means of settlement (19831990), and a 27-year Good Offices Process under the UN Secretary-General’s authority (1990-2017), all have failed to end the controversy. Since Venezuela made its claim, there have been several incidents involving military force, coercion and bullying by the Spanish-speaking country against Guyana.

Military Force and the threat of force included Ankoko Island, Cuyuni occupation (1966); the Sponsored Rupununi uprising 1969; the Leoni Decree – the attempt to seize territorial sea (1968); assault on Eteringbang outpost 1970 & innumerable subsequent military acts; the military seizure of Technics Perdana — seismic survey vessel of Anadarko in 2013; and most recently, the attempted boarding of seismic vessel Ramform Tethys (December 22, 2018).

The Government of Guyana is confident of a win against Venezuela in both cases – the jurisdictional matter and the substantive matter treating with the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899.

Multiple new COVID-19 cases recorded at Moruca REPORTS are that six of the new confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded over the last two days in Guyana, are from the Moruca sub-region in the North West District.

Already, two cases have been recorded at Moruca and medical sources at Mabaruma, the region's administrative capital, noted that the new cases are persons who are related to the first two.

The first two cases include that of a 68-year old man who is in isolation at Santa Rosa, Moruca. The

man travelled to the region in recent weeks from the city. Reports are that the man travelled to Georgetown from the Rupununi before moving onward to Moruca. The man reportedly stayed in the city at a relative who was recovering from the virus.

Last Friday night, former teacher, Vincent Torres, died from complications due to the virus. Relatives of the man were in denial that the man indeed died from COVID-19 complications while reports are that some residents at Moruca were

ignoring the seriousness of the virus.

The village council at Santa Rosa, the largest populated Indigenous village in Guyana, recently tightened its travel restrictions on passenger boats, which were relaxed several weeks ago.

The first COVID-19 case recorded in Region One was at the town of Mabaruma.

That patient has since recovered from the disease.

To date, Guyana has recorded 150 cases of the virus. At the moment, there are 72 active cases of the

The Moruca Bridge which links the villages of San Jose with Kumaka

virus and the authorities have been pleading with

Guyanese to adhere to the precautionary measures to

prevent the spread of the virus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

GECOM opens probe into alleged electoral fraud

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…seeks immigration records of persons listed as voted …PPP/C objects, threatens court action if Commission proceeds

By Svetlana Marshall IN an effort to confirm or negate allegations that Guyanese who were out of the jurisdiction during the conduct of the March 2,2020 General and Regional Elections are marked as voted, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has requested immigration records from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Support Services, a move that could see the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) turning to the courts to stop the investigation from going ahead.

The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) is contending that 1,261 persons voted in the place of migrants, and according to Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander, a list of names has been provided to GECOM, and immigration records are now being sought, in accordance with the National Registration Act. “Those [names] have been sent to the Chief Immigration Officer for verification,” Alexander told

reporters at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where the National Recount of the votes cast at the General and Regional Elections is being done.

While the PPP/C has been objecting to the decision of the Elections Commission to accept evidence or information from the APNU+AFC, and or source death and immigration records, based on allegations made to date, Alexander made it clear that the request for immigration records by GECOM is provided for in the law.

“Like I said on a previous occasion, the Chief Immigration Officer, under Regulation 40 of the National Registration Act, has an obligation to periodically provide that information to the Chief Registration Officer, who is also the Chief Elections Officer.

So I think within that context, the Chief Registration Officer has requested information from the Chief Immigration Officer,” Commissioner Alexander explained.

But PPP/C Executive, Anil Nandlall, in a separate interview told reporters that it would be illegal for GECOM to investigate the

Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander

PPP/C Executive Anil Nandlall

allegations being made by the APNU+AFC. “It is very clear that the Commission doesn’t have that mandate and that power, and it is not structured to receive evidence and those sorts of things; it is an elections Commission,” Nandlall told reporters.

He hinted at possible legal actions by the PPP/C if the GECOM moves to investigate the close to 2,000 claims of irregularities cited by the ruling Coalition. “Any time the Commission acts outside of its legal powers, the Court will be there to

correct it,” Nandlall told reporters.

NOTHING TO HIDE He added: “The PPP has nothing to hide, but the PPP will not participate in an illegal exercise. If GECOM goes down a road that GECOM has no power to travel, and wants to perform functions that GECOM has no lawful right and power to perform, then the PPP will not participate in that process.”

According to the APNU+AFC, some 1,937 numerical irregularities have

been unearthed, thereby affecting 90,707 votes. The cases of alleged irregularities and electoral fraud are being included in the Observation Reports that are being provided to the Elections Commission. While this process is in keeping with the Order gazetted by the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh on May 4, Nandlall believes that the Observation Reports are irrelevant to the process. Notwithstanding its inclusion in the Order, Nandlall believes that it is of little value to the Elections Commission.

“What you think the Observation Report is? It is a summary of the objections; the position is that GECOM cannot do anything with it.

GECOM cannot do anything with it in law,” Nandlall submitted, while contending that the claims in the Observation Report cannot be investigated by the Elections Commission. GECOM, he said, should, upon the completion of the recount, proceed to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections, based on the report compiled by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

Nandlall submitted that the Court, under Article 163 of the Constitution, has exclusive jurisdiction to treat with cases of alleged electoral fraud. However, Commissioner Alexander sought to remind that the National Recount is being done under Article 162 of the Constitution, and Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act, and not the Representation of the People Act. “The Representation of the People Act did not allow for this recount that we are doing; it is the said Constitution, by virtue of Article 162, so that the determination of these matters in a common-law system is only final if a Court decides,” Commissioner Alexander said. “The view that we held by virtue of what’s in that Order, an Order which was agreed to by the Commission is that we are not doing a mere numerical recount; that we in fact going to have observation beyond the numbers, and we are having observations beyond the numbers,” he explained.

Moruca on lockdown …residents call for mobile testing

WHILE concerns grow at the Moruca sub-region since 8 coronavirus cases have been recorded there within the past 10 days, the Santa Rosa Village Council, the main hub at Moruca, has enforced a complete, two-week lockdown from June 2nd to June 16th.

“As such all shops, boat services and taxi services will be closed during this period. All stakeholders please take note and let’s all work together to fight COVID 19,” the council said, on Friday morning, in a social media post.

Reports are that the doc-

tor, two other medical staff and a security guard who work at the Kumaka District Hospital tested positive for the virus this week. They have all been placed in quarantine.

Relatives of one of the first two patients have been denying that the man died from COVID-19.This newspaper understands that two relatives of the man are among the six new cases recorded this week.

Santa Rosa, the central hub at Moruca, is the largest populated indigenous village in Guyana and the village council has been facing an uphill task in sensitising res-

A section of the village of Kumaka at Santa Rosa, Moruca. (Jean La Rose photo)

idents about the seriousness of the virus.

Since the first two re-

corded coronavirus cases last week, reports are that family members of one of the

patients have been ignoring the authorities, as regards precautionary measures.

The man’s family operates a business and persons there have been conducting business as usual there. They informed other persons that the man died from dengue fever, as they denied he contracted the coronavirus.

Prominent residents of the area have been pleading with the villagers to take all necessary precautions to deter the spread of the virus at the villages within the sub-region. Residents also called on the Ministry of Public Health to undertake mobile testing within the villages at Moruca since they believe that many more persons might have contracted the virus.

Meanwhile, in light of the increase in cases at Moruca, residents of the town of Mabaruma, Region One’s administrative capital, have urged the authorities there to enforce lockdown measures. Elsewhere in Region One, this newspaper was informed that several Brazilian nationals at the mining community of Baramita have been placed in quarantine.

Reports are that the men, whose relatives operate a business there, travelled to the area from the Rupununi last week. Their presence in the village was told to the police by persons who frequent the business.

The men were expected to undergo COVID-19 tests.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

Giftland Mall owes City Council over $103M - As council struggles to find finance to run city

THE Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, disclosed to reporters on Friday that the Giftland Mall in Turkeyen owes the city over $103M in rates and taxes. In fact, he pointed out that since the mall was opened in 2015, the owner never paid its rates and taxes, nor any interest.

This act he said, takes away the right of mall owner Roy Beepat to talk about integrity, decency and honesty.

“What I want to point out to the public is this lawlessness that business owners want to continue with. And I saw many posts and articles from Mr Beepat. What I want to say to him is when you speak, you must speak from a point of view where you’re clean. You cannot speak when you have dirt on yourself. All the sublets in malls in the city have to come to the council to get their licence [sic] to operate.

Giftland Mall breached all of that,” Ubraj said.

Shedding light on Giftland’s acts of lawlessness, the mayor explained that when he took office he engaged Beepat, who said that he met with the former Town Clerk Royston King, and had agreed to honour his taxes, but had an issue with paying interest.

From that meeting, Ubraj said the council’s decision was to waive the interest from the date the council engaged Beepat; however, he would have had to start 2020 paying up the right rates.

Beepat subsequently sent the council a letter stating that he doesn’t want to pay any interest on his taxes.

“Giftland didn’t honour their taxes from since they opened. So that rate is over 103 million. We’re actually lenient with him because those food places and sublets they have there, they actually

need a permit from the food section of the M&CC. They need various other inspections to operate in a mall; likewise any other part, of the city. Everyone who owns a sublet in that mall, that individual has to come to get a permit to operate. And the only way they get to uplift that, is by the rates of that property cleared,” the mayor explained.

As such, Giftland Mall is in serious breach of policies.

Narine said Beepat tried to justify his stance by claiming that he built the road.

“To my knowledge, infrastructure played a big role in

to the Private Sector Commission but they aren’t doing anything about the multiple businesses that are not honouring their taxes, including Giftland Mall.

“Since they have a very big voice on this elections, I hope they have something to say about this. The private sector should focus on how we can develop the city so that we can have a better relationship… I believe the private sector body has an issue and they need to sort that out for the betterment for the business people, and also for the betterment of the city.

We can’t operate in the city

Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine

rates,” the mayor said.

On this note he confessed that the council is facing immense financial blows in the face of COVID-19.

“Our revenue base has dropped tremendously, actually 69 per cent when we compare 2019 to 2020. However, our expenditure for the month of January to date in garbage collection, to deal with the Solid Waste Department is close to 21 million.

For 2019 we actually spent lesser[sic] than that, because due to COVID-19, the sanitisation of various open spaces and all the markets come under the control of M&CC;

The Giftland mega Mall at Turkeyen

developing that road, and the road is not really for Giftland Mall alone, it is for Demerara Estate to have access to the road, and every Guyanese, so they have to do something better than that,” he said.

Noting further, due to the Beepat’s resistance, the council is left with no alternative but to take him to court for all the millions owed.

In fact, the mayor said he has submitted multiple letters

without the private sector.

They once said that they are the blood vein for the city and if the city is the heart, we have to function together.

They need to step up more,” Narine said.

Mayor also cited a court matter with the Vieira Houston Estate who also owes the city. He said that they are in court because the figure that Vieira has and the figure the council has, are vastly

different.

“But we have letters from CH&PA which were copied to me. Those letters were sent to residents in [the] Houston area, that letter gave us some proof of exactly what Houston area ought to use for underdevelopment. So I’d encourage Vieira Houston Estate to come forward, let us work still and see how we can solve those issues. But aside from that there are still many people who owe the council

we have to utilise more detergents and chemicals and also the workers working around the clock to get those works finished… In fact, [in] the treasury department the cashier usually raises twothree million dollars per day; currently we are raising two and 300,000. So that alone can tell you the big drop on the revenue scale. Also on the vendors and markets there are a lot of people that we

waived the interest prior to COVID-19. We don’t want them to pay any interest at all in this period of time. No interest will accumulate for 2020,” Mayor Narine said.

He also disclosed that for January 2019 the council was able to raise $319,970,108 M, and in January 2020 $168,488,885.

“And that is something we continuously see happening. We are looking to purchase an equipment for sanitising so it can reduce the time and reduce work on the Guyana Fire Service.

The cost is $1.2M and the machine can also be used for fogging… And that is why we are pleading with the business sector who actually have outstanding rates for us, to come and pay up so we can do our sanitising and other things in the areas,” he lamented.

Additionally, the council is currently unable to pay its staff. Mayor said that it's $120M a month in wages and salaries for the council.

In that regard, he said “I wrote the Ministry of Communities on several occasions outlining all of this, the only thing I received is a little over $500,000 when I had closed the markets to install sinks. And we keep writing. However, we did have a meeting with the PS who asked us to submit documents with the breakdown; we did all of that, to date, we did not hear back.

We look forward to hearing back from them. We are the capital city and we need the help from the government in this point of time. We cannot afford it because of the revenue base drop…

But we are trying our best with limited resources to serve the people of the city.

I will continue to fight and echo my voice for the people of Georgetown.”

Flaring of natural gas was intended for short-term – Dr Bynoe

WHILE there have been several criticisms pertaining to ExxonMobil’s offshore flaring of natural gas, Director of the Department of Energy (DoE), Dr. Mark Bynoe has noted that the said activity was catered for in the Environmental Management Plan of the block’s operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

Reports are that ExxonMobil flared over two billion cubic feet of natural gas

because of challenges during production start-up. These challenges have since been resolved and the re-injection of gas has commenced.

However, explaining the basis on which the company was authorised to flare the gas, Dr. Bynoe stated earlier this week: “According to the Environmental Management Plan which was issued to the operator for Liza Phase One, some amount of flaring is allowed at start-up until one reaches what is termed

steady state. Additionally, if there is to be an emergency, flaring is allowed because what you’re seeking to do is to protect the integrity of the resource.”

Dr. Bynoe said that a Flare Out Plan exists and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with the operator in accordance with this. Even so, an international environmental group, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), also criticised

flaring of the gas noting that it releases greenhouse gases and toxins, threatening the global climate, the local environment, and public health.

It had called on the EPA to shut down EEPGL’s operations if it could not operate safely without flaring billions of cubic feet of natural gas. Others such as former presidential adviser on petroleum Jan Mangal had voiced their preference for the gas to be used by Guya-

nese for electricity and other purposes.

The re-injection having commenced will result in the natural gas being re-injected into underground reservoirs which not only eliminates the alternative of flaring, but stimulates the recovery of additional crude oil.

Back in 2019, ExxonMobil had explained to media operatives that for the first period after ‘first oil’ there would be initial start-up flaring – authorised by the EPA

– which occurs during the commissioning and initial start-up phases of the FPSO when gas and liquids are introduced into new facilities and equipment.

This flaring, it had said, would not continue as routine and will take place again only in the case of an emergency, when flaring would have been used to immediately de-pressure the facility as part of a shut-down process to reduce risks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

Credibility of polls crucial before declaration …Alexander says elections results will not be declared based on ballots recounted ...insists observation report will be examined to determine credibility of polls

By Svetlana Marshall WHILE in principle the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is leaning towards June 13 as the new deadline for the completion of the national recount as proposed by the Elections Secretariat, it remains deeply divided on the time needed to consider the report of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) before the results of the General and Regional Elections are declared.

Moments after exiting a meeting of the Elections Commission at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Thursday, Commissioner Vincent Alexander, in an interview with reporters, said while there was no objection to the new timeline proposed, difficulties arose when there was an attempt to insert in the Order, a timeline for the declaration of the results upon completion of the report by the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.

“For all intents and purposes, in principle we seem to be saying that we would conclude the exercise here on the June 13. In principle that is where we are at,” Alexander told reporters, while adding that there are now attempts to insert a date for the declaration of the results

into the order, though it does not provide for such.

The order, he emphasised, only provides for a review of the initial 25-day timeline, and nothing else. The push for the new insertion into the order is being done by People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) aligned commissioners, who have been resolute in their position that the recount is numerical in nature, and as such have been dismissive of the Observation Reports. But Alexander made it clear that the recount is not merely numerical and sufficient time must be given to the Elections Commission to consider the observations that will form part of the Chief Elections Officer’s report upon the completion of the recount of the ballots cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections. He reminded that upon the completion of the recount, the CEO will compile a report containing the tabulation of the results of the elections and a report on the observations cited during the process.

“We are going to have in addition to 10 tabulations, which have to be brought together into one tabulation, we are going to have 10 observation reports, and those 10 observation reports have got to be discussed, and it takes time,” Alexander made clear.

He said due to the volume

of information in the reports, the consideration of them is likely to take some time,

problem that we are presently faced with,” Alexander said.

He reasoned that while

Commissioner Vincent Alexander

and as such the Elections Commission should not be rushed into declaring the results of the elections without thoroughly analysing the observation reports, which are catered for in the Order gazetted on May 4.

“What people are attempting to do, is to get us to write into the Order a conclusion date that would obviously interfere with a thorough and conclusive discussion of what is in the Observation Report, and so that is the

there are attempts to force the hands of the Elections Commission to declare the results of the elections based ballots recounted, such would not determine the credibility of the elections. “We have collectively made an Order that provides for a credible determination of the results, and the credibility has to do with much of what will be in the observation report, and so we cannot arrive at that credibility without a determination of how we treat what is in the

observation report. And what some people are trying to do is to avoid that treatment of what is in the observation report,” the commissioner submitted.

While iterating the importance of considering the observation report, Alexander said that instead of setting a deadline for the declaration of results, the commission should agree to work as quickly as possible to conclude electoral process – warning that the quality of work could be affected if a deadline is imposed upon the commission.

“It is being suggested that in a process where the Chief Elections Officer bring a report, we discuss that report, and only after that discussion he is advised to prepare a report under the Representation of the People Act to bring to us for final sign off, that that entire process, of the first discussion, his presentation and the second intervention, should take three days, in my humble opinion, three days are grossly inadequate if we are to give serious consideration to what is in the observation report,” Alexander told reporters.

According to him, the observation reports have a plethora of issues that ought to be addressed. “We have to deal with issues of the stubs that are found in a particular

ballot box not corresponding with the number of ballots – that’s the reality. We have to deal with issues where, significant number of ballots found themselves unstamped with a six digit stamp, now in a sense we took a position on the matter but you have situations where in a box, half of the ballot representing the General Elections are stamped and the other half not stamped,” he pointed out.

The commissioner emphasised that there are fundamental issues that ought to be determined in the consideration of the observation reports and as such, maintained the position that the commission must be given sufficient time to consider them.

But PPP/C Executive Member, Anil Nandlall told reporters that a clear timeline should be set for the declaration of the results by the Elections Commission.

“We want them to tell us how much time, it cannot be for the rest of the year, they are not fixing a time, this country is on hold, people’s lives are on hold,” he posited.

Today, the Elections Commission will meet for a third consecutive day to finalise the extension of the recount, and determine whether or not a timeline will be set for the declaration of the results.

PAHO working with mining sector to improve resilience against COVID-19 THE Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has joined forces with stakeholders in the local mining sector, to make the industry more resilient against the direct effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

With mining being listed as an essential service amidst the pandemic, stakeholders thought it best to engage PAHO on ways the sector could build resilience and do its part to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Andron Alphonso, said the association is working closely with PAHO to establish “long term” guidelines, which are

industry-specific.

“These guidelines are being established with the aim of protecting staff and helping to protect against the potential spread of the virus as a consequence of us (miners) traversing through communities and operating near vulnerable communities,” said Alphonso during a press briefing hosted by the Private Sector Commission (PSC), on Thursday.

Health authorities have time and again warned “mining regions” to be extra cautious because of the “heavy traffic” in and out of communities within those regions.

The traffic in those communities remain high because the gold and diamond mining sector remains “essential” and is fully

operational.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Indigenous villages are highly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this vulnerability could be exacerbated if persons, particularly miners and residents of neighbouring Brazil, who test positive for the disease, knowingly enter those villages.

It is against this background that the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) had suggested that legal charges be instituted against miners and persons, who test positive for the disease in Brazil, and purposely visit Indigenous villages in Guyana.

“The controversial issue of mining being declared an ‘essential service’ is also at the centre

of this problem. Many ordinary Guyanese are struggling to provide for their families while abiding by the lockdown, while miners are driving 500 miles through Amerindian communities, putting many people at serious risk en route, is considered an essential activity,” said the GHRA. This kind of contradiction discredits the official anti-COVID-19 strategy, fosters indignation and needs to be addressed urgently.

The situation described reinforces the need to remove mining and mining-related activities from the list of essential services, which are exempt from some COVID-19 restrictions.

GHRA, therefore, called on the COVID-19 task force to take

immediate steps to address all of the issues which have surfaced in Region Nine.

As with its initial response to the Toshaos, the authorities needed the stimulus of the COVID-19 infected Brazilian, who passed through many communities, before taking action. It is also noteworthy that the police in Lethem have warned they will start to prosecute people who break the curfew, said the GHRA. The association believes that should the virus really take hold in the Rupununi, it will then definitely spread to the entire country. The association said the call for a complete lockdown of Lethem from coastal contact reflects the only realistic strategy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

GECOM extends recount deadline to June 13

By Svetlana Marshall

THE long-awaited results for the General and Regional Elections are likely to be declared in June, days after the completion of the National Recount, which has been extended to June 13, based on an amended order issued by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Addendum to the Order, signed by the Chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, was published in the Official Gazette on Friday, May 29, 2020.

In addition to the extension of the timeline, and an amendment to reflect the 12 workstations that are now in operation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the amended order outlines the procedure to be employed, once a report of the recount is submitted to the Elections Commission by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

In doing so, it amends Paragraph 14 of the original order.

The amended order states: “The Commission shall, after deliberating on the report at Paragraph 12, determine whether it should request the Chief Election Officer to use the data compiled in accordance with Paragraph 12 as the basis for the submission of a report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Cap 1:03, provided that the Commission shall, no later than three (3) days after receiving the report, make the declaration of the results of the final credible count of the elections held on the 2nd day of March 2020.”

According to Paragraph 12 of the Order, the matrices for the recount of the 10 Electoral Districts must be

Elections Commissioner Sase Gunraj

tabulated by the Chief Elections Officer, and a report submitted to the Elections Commission, together with a summary of the Observation Reports for each District.

Shortly after exiting a meeting of the Elections Commission at the Confer-

Alexander explained that, in accordance with the amended order, the Chief Elections Officer is required to submit his Report on the National Recount no later than June 13.

He noted that once the report is deliberated upon by the Elections Commission, it

Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander

use the data to compile a final report for the declaration of the results.

CONFIRM OR NEGATE Commissioner Alexander explained that during the deliberation on the report submitted on the recount, the

persons voted in the place of the dead or individuals who were out of the jurisdiction on E-Day, in addition to a number of other anomalies that have surfaced since the commencement of the recount.

In a separate interview

A Ballot Box being taken to be processed

ence Centre on Friday, Elections Commissioner Vincent

will determine whether the Chief Election Officer should

Elections Commission will confirm or negate whether

with reporters, Elections Commissioner Sase Gunraj

said that the extension was justifiable given the number of ballot boxes left to be processed. There are over 600 ballot boxes from a total of 2,339.

Key among the amendments to the Order, Gunraj said, is the timeframe given for the declaration of the results for the General and Regional Elections. “Finally, the Order specifies the time within which a declaration has to be made by the Guyana Elections Commission of the final results of the elections held on the 2nd of March, 2020, and that date is no later than three days from the 13th day of June, 2020,” Gunraj told reporters.

While Alexander, in his discourse, indicated that the Commission will deliberate on, among other things, the Observation Reports ahead of any declaration, Gunraj contended that GECOM has no such authority.

“GECOM has taken no decision; the Commission has taken absolutely no decision in so far as it relates to treating with any of the issues that have arisen, or may arise during this recount process,” Gunraj contended. To date, more than 1,500 ballot boxes have been processed from a total of 2,339.

The National Recount, which commenced on May 6, 2020, is being executed under Article 162 of the Constitution, and Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act under the supervision of the Elections Commission, based on an agreement reached between President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo following the intervention of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

GLSC’s Benn addresses UN Expert Group on land administration

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Trevor L. Benn has highlighted the importance of all countries being included and considered on the issue of effective land management.

On Friday, via the virtual meeting, Benn addressed the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) Expert Group on Land Administration as Co-Chair of the group.

There are 24 other countries including China, India, Norway, Kuwait, Saudi

Arabia, United Kingdom and Sweden, who are also members of the group. They discussed a global framework for Effective Land Administration (FELA) and the group’s work plan for 20192021.

In opening remarks, Benn said that he was particularly pleased that the group is taking into consideration the needs of developing countries in a period when the focus is on ensuring that no one is left behind.

He reminded the group that during the ninth session, the Committee of Experts had requested the Expert Group

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Trevor L. Benn

to make use of appropriate, globally accepted concepts

and approaches. This includes the utilisation of exist-

ing guidelines, best practices and standards, to effectively link people to land, record, document and to reorganise relationships between people and land in all forms.

“We have been able to work closely with our members in the Expert Group in developing a very robust and comprehensive document in the Framework for Effective Land Administration,” Benn told the group, adding: “We are particularly excited about the potential uses of this framework document, which has benefitted from consultation with various country representatives. In

excess of 60 submissions and approximately 300 comments from 60 countries has helped us to strengthen the FELA document.”

In his remarks, Benn also said that he is pleased with the work of the UNGGIM and thanked the team, especially the UNGGIM Secretariat, for the hard work and ultimately the imminent success of the Expert Group. He pledged Guyana’s continued support and commitment in advancing the established objectives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

‘600 not in GT but voted’ …Coalition submits list of persons who were not in country but listed as voted …says feedback from Immigration Department favourable

By Svetlana Marshall One day after it was disclosed that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has initiated an investigation into allegations that Guyanese, who were out of the jurisdiction on Elections Day, are marked as having voted, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) revealed that it supplied GECOM with 600 names to support its claims, and the response from the Immigration Department, it said, is favorable.

“I want to point out to you that we have sent a first batch of 600 such information to GECOM, and we are reliably informed that immigration has confirmed more than 90% of them that were ticked, according to their records are out of the jurisdiction,” APNU+AFC Executive Member Aubrey Norton told reports on Friday as Day 24 of the National Recount came to a close at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The APNU+AFC is contending that more than 1,200 Guyanese, who were out of the jurisdiction on Elections Day, are marked on the Official List of Elections as having voted.

Further to that, it is contending that the names of more than 40 dead persons are also marked off on the Official List of Electors as having voted. According to Norton, the coalition has also initiated the process of supplying the Elections Commission with the Death Certificates to prove its case.

It was Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who on Thursday, disclosed that in effort to confirm or negate allegations that Guyanese, who were outside of the jurisdiction on E-Day, are as marked as voted, the Elections Commission (GECOM) has requested immigration records from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Support Services.

“Like I said on a previous occasion, the Chief Immigration Officer under Regulation 40 of the National Registration

Act has an obligation to periodically provide that information to the Chief Registration Officer (who is also the Chief Elections Officer). So I think within that context, the Chief Registration Officer has requested information from the Chief Immigration Officer,” Alexander had said.

On Friday, he again confirmed that a list of names was dispatched to the Chief Immigration Officer for verification as part of an investigation being conducted by GECOM. “I have said previously, that in relation to the migrants, that information some days ago would have been forwarded to the Chief Immigration Officer. So they have in fact embarked on the process of discerning or determining whether the information is evidential,” Alexander iterated.

But Elections Commissioner Sase Gunraj, in a separate interview, contending that no such investigation has been launched into the allegations made by the APNU+AFC, even as he maintained that under the Constitution and the Electoral Laws of the country, the Elections Commission has no legal authority to determine electoral fraud.

“GECOM has taken no decision; the Commission has taken absolutely no decision in so far as it relates to treating with any of the issues that have arisen or may arise during this recount process,” Gunraj told reporters on the outskirts of the Conference Centre.

Further, he rejected reports

by Alexander that the Commission has subjected a list of names to the Chief Immigration Officer for verification. “I want to reject, as well, any contention that GECOM has sought or will seek information from any extraneous agency to deal with that and to conduct any investigation on its own volition or otherwise into these allegations that were raised during this period,” Gunraj said.

But outside of the issues of persons voting in the place of the dead and those who were out of the country on March 2, Norton told reporters that

there are other “facts” about the 2020 Elections that cannot be disputed. “The facts confirmed PPP/C’s electoral fraud. We have seen from this process, many ballots that were not stamped and those votes were

for the APNU+AFC and therefore indicative of fraud. Two, we have seen missing Oaths of Identity, that’s a fact and this process has confirmed that.

We have seen in this process, APNU+AFC ballots found in

PPP’s envelopes, and again this is a fact that has been confirmed by this process. We have seen missing certificates of employment, this is another fact confirmed by this process.

We have seen more voters that

Elections Commissioner Sase Gunraj

APNU+AFC Executive Member Aubrey Norton

Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander

A summary of the claims made by the APNU+AFC (May 26)

are ticked on the list, a fact that has been confirmed by this process,” Norton submitted.

In an attempt to support his position, Norton said from a total of 699 ballot boxes, 284 had missing Poll Books – an anomaly that cannot be ignored.

Further to that, Norton said as the votes in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are being recounted, there are more and more “irregularities” surfacing. According to him, in that Electoral District there is an alarming number of people who voted without any form of Identification, and in the absence of such, did not take Oaths of Identity.

“In Box 9040 at Tabatinga Nursery, 18 persons voted no ID, no Oath of Identification.

In the same Tabatinga Nursery, another group of 18 voted, no ID, no Oath of Identity. Tabatinga Sports Complex, 11 persons voted without ID and without Oath of Identification. So what we are seeing here, is that in two close buildings with a few ballot boxes, more than 50 people voted, who should not have voted,” Norton reported, while described them as acts of fraud. These irregularities, he posited, were included in the Observation Reports.

Turning his attention to Region Seven, Norton said that in Ballot Box 7077 there were two missing Oaths of Identity. Those irregularities, he contended, is just a tip of the iceberg. “Essentially, when you look at what is happening in Regions Seven, Nine and Eight, the trend continues, and the specific characteristics of these far flung areas is, a lot of people voting without Oaths of Identity, without an ID card and that constitutes fraud,” he contended.

These irregularities, the APNU+AFC Executive Member maintained, cannot be ignored by the Elections Commission and ought to be investigated thoroughly to determine the credibility of the Elections before any declaration is made.

1,555 ballot boxes processed

Day 24 of the National Recount of the votes at the General and Regional Elections came to a close with 82 ballot boxes being processed, thereby taking the total number of ballot boxes processed to date to 1, 555.

There are an overall total of 2,339 ballot boxes, and with 1,555 completed, there remain 784 ballot boxes left to be processed. The recount is being executed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM at the Arthur

Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) under the watchful eyes of a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Scrutinizing Team as well as a number of other international and local observers.

According to GECOM’s

Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward, of the boxes processed on Friday, 25 were from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 24 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), nine from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 11 from Region

Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 13 from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – a total of 82 boxes.

To date, all of the votes from Regions One, Two, Three, Five, and Seven have been recounted, and

as such the focus is on Regions, Four, Six, Eight, Nine and 10.

With the Elections Commission extending the 25-day timeline, recount is now expected to conclude on June 13, 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

BOSAI donates over $1.7M to Region 10

– RHEC head sincerely thanks company, other donors HEAD of the Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC), Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), Orrin Gordon has expressed sincere thanks to BOSAI company for what he has dubbed their genuine show of love and support to the people of Region 10 during the COVID-19 epidemic.

“It always pleases my heart when private companies and individuals come to the aid and assistance of residents who are experiencing difficulties and challenges and for the RHEC we are impressed with the work and contributions being made thus far by BOSAI, the Linden Business Network.”

Gordon stressed that he would like where possible for other companies to emulate the work being done

by BOSAI, declaring that the RHEC welcomes such gestures. He said that things are exceedingly difficult for many and the government alone cannot do it.

“The contributions made

by BOSAI is [sic] significant and the RHEC Committee [sic] remains thankful for this as it has helped a number

of families significantly to secure some food during this very difficult time. Additionally, it has assisted the region in confronting a social ill that is plaguing the region during this time” he said.

Public Relations Officer of BOSAI, Vanessa Mitchell-Davis said that her company’s General Manager Eric Yu was very eager and determined to assist the residents. She said that he remains cognisant that several persons from Region 10 form part of his company’s workforce. As such,he believes that they should continue to give back in a meaningful way. She disclosed that this is not the first time that the company has given, but stressed that despite the many social programmes that it has or has sought to ensure that they play their part during this COVID-19 epidemic.

She revealed that as such, 100 seniors across Linden have received hampers totalling $800,000.00.

She pointed out that the hampers were delivered directly to the seniors at their homes where they were engaged in brief discussions

and encouraged to continue adhering to all Ministry of Public Health-related guidelines. She said that the RDC and the Mayor and Town Council also received 700,000.00 in food items to assist families.

This, she stressed, played a significant role, stating that several families who were experiencing grave financial difficulties benefitted directly from food hampers directly from the RDC and Mayor and Town Council.

The PRO further stated that some $200,000.00 was donated to the hot meals feeding programme that is the initiative of the Linden Business Network. The programme, she added, is geared towards ensuring that persons are offered a hot meal each day, thus being able to further reduce the epidemic-related challenges.

“We recognise that many persons may not be able to secure a plate of food, so we collaborated with the Linden Business Network in ensuring that persons are given a hot meal each day, thus helping to reduce the evident hunger that we have recognised as a result

of the COVID pandemic,” she said.

The BOSAI PRO said that her GM believes that the company will continue to give in many more ways to aid in relieving and reducing the impact that the epidemic has caused. She added that they see their social responsibility as being

Public Relations Officer of BOSAI, Vanessa Mitchell-Davis

of paramount importance.

Mitchell assured the RHEC that should they need additional support and or assistance from BOSAI that the company stands ready and prepared to help.

“BOSAI understands that we are all in this together and over the years

One of the many senior citizens who received hampers

the residents of Region 10 have helped BOSAI significantly in achieving its set targets. That is why the company from its inception remains committed and dedicated to helping the people of Region 10. We recognise that COVID has

impacted significantly on the region and more directly on several families.

That is why we are seeking to play our part in our little way with whatever we can do as we fight this scourge together,” Mitchell-Davis said.

Albertha Hicks is Guyana’s newest centenarian ON May 29, 1920, a beautiful baby girl was delivered by a midwife, who happened to be one of the baby’s grandmothers. Such occurred at a home in Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

The parents of the baby girl, Charlie and Carolyn Burrowes, named her Albertha.

On Friday, 100 years later, Albertha Burrowes, having added the surname Hicks, by way of marriage, celebrated her centenarian status at her 81 Dennis Street, Campbellville, family home.

“Attaining such an age is certainly an achievement of recognition and celebration,” said Ms Hicks, during a telephone interview with this publication, on the eve of her birth anniversary.

With most of the details of her life still fresh on her mind, despite losing her left eye through cataract and her right leg due to being afflicted with diabetes, Ms Hicks, in clarion tones that belie her advanced age, described her life’s journey, so far, as being

remarkable, productive and adventurous.

The last of six children, Mrs Hicks recalled starting school at Parika Anglican School, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, but subsequently moved to live at Charlotte Street, in the city, with an elder sister. “My sister got married at a very young age, about age 16, and my parents thought because she was married at such a young age, I would have been a good companion for her,” she said.

According to her, it was at the behest of her god-parents who were devout Catholics that she was enrolled at a Catholic school and later was also sent to private lessons. At age 28 years Ms Hicks said she gave birth to a daughter. Sometime later, she struck a relationship with Milton Hicks who worked on an American ship as a bugler and got married. According to her, “Milton stole my heart”.

In 1950, Ms Hicks travelled to London with her husband and began setting

Mrs Hicks at age 99 – Ms Albertha Hicks on her 99th birthday, last year

up home. She also started working in that country in an administrative capacity. Her first trip back to Guyana was in 1965, as she was anxious to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren.

She said she also began renovating the Dennis Street home which resulted in her making several trips between London and Guyana between 1965 and 1994. He husband died in London in 1994 after 65 years of a blessed marriage, she added.

It was in 2007 while she was working as an Administrator of homes for homeless people, that Ms Hicks recalled she lost her right eye to cataract. Not long after her right leg was amputated due to her suffering from diabetes.

Fitted with a prosthetic limb, Ms Hicks said she continued working and even travelled to Guyana a few more times, even visiting the magnificent Kaieteur Falls.

She retired from her job in 2012 and returned to live permanently in her homeland,

Guyana.

Now a grandmother and great- grandmother of two, respectively; great, greatgrandmother of two and great, great, great-grandmother of one, Ms Hicks said she has been blessed with a wonderful family inclusive of nieces and nephews, who go all out to ensure that she is happy.

Currently she has a grandson and great, great-grandson living with her to keep her company, but Ms Hicks proudly related that she insists on doing her own cooking, cleaning, laundry and ironing, although she has a helper. This is, however, much to the disagreement of the other family members and relatives.

“I am a clean freak and that irritates them, as they feel that I should be resting myself at my age,” she added.

According to her, she cooks meals with the aid of a high-chair that she had transported from London specifically for that purpose; sit in her wheelchair to do her

mopping and other cleaning.

Family members meanwhile take turns to transport her to and from which ever location she wants to go to do her shopping. On those shopping jaunts which she thoroughly enjoys, Ms Hicks says she uses a walker.

A bit disappointed that the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying restrictions have placed a damper on the elaborate celebratory plans that were in train for the `special’ occasion, Ms Hicks said she in nevertheless overjoyed to be celebrating such a `golden’ milestone.

Her immediate plans were to spend it with just close family, but added, “Trust me, as soon as all this is over and God spares my life I will be having my `big bash’”.

“Right now I am just grateful and overjoyed that God has spared my life will fairly reasonable health and strength to celebrate this glorious occasion,” she remarked.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

East Canje female in police custody for unlicensed firearm

The pistol retrieved from the DeVeldt, Berbice River residence.

The twenty pounds of suspected dried cannabis.

AN East Canje female is in police custody, following discovery of an unlicenced firearm. The arrest took place on May 29, 2020, when Police, acting on information, went to the home of a farmer at DeVeldt, Berbice River, to conduct a search for arms and ammunition. Upon arrival, the officers were made aware that the individual was not at his home.

His female sibling who resides in East Canje, and was present at the time, handed over to the ranks an unlicenced pistol.

She has since been detained, and efforts are being made to contact her brother for questioning.

The said ranks then proceeded to another house in the Berbice River at Bartica Village where they conducted a search and found twenty

The Shotgun that was retrieved from the Berbice River at Bartica Village residence.

kilograms of suspected cannabis, packaged in twenty-three parcels, as well as twenty pounds of suspected dried cannabis. The estimated street value of the items is $1,600,000.00. An unlicenced shotgun, and several identification documents in favour of the occupant who is presently being sought, were also found.

The GPF has stated that Investigation is ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

Small states need $$$ to tackle COVID-19 …President Granger tells UN high-level forum

…says fleeing migrants putting strain on Guyana’s revenues, healthcare system WHILE noting that the states bordering Guyana have a high level of COVID-19 cases, President David Granger, in a virtual address to the United Na-

tions, on Thursday, said that given the pandemic’s multi-dimensional nature, small states require extraordinary financial support in its fight against the

disease.

The High-level Meeting tackled the critical finance issue to address economic devastation caused by COVID-19.

Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau; Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness; and UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, convened the special

President David Granger

high-level meeting to advance concrete solutions to the development emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President said that Guyana, one of the smallest states in South America, is bordered by countries with a high level of COVID-19.

He said migrants from these countries seek refuge to enter Guyana’s territory and enter areas which necessitates delivery of effective health services over long distances and to remote settlements “These factors impact the state’s ability from disease and to earn revenue to protect its people,” the President said, noting that Guyana’s challenges are compounded by its COVID-19 fight.

President Granger noted that small states need sturdy and structured systems to save lives and support livelihoods.

He said that in the medium and long term, “we must build capacity to respond effectively and efficiently” when faced with health crisis which, he noted, are predicted to occur more frequently.

In the long term, he said that countries must achieve food security through sustaining agriculture and manufacturing services so that when economies reopen, the private and public sectors will be capable of rapid production.

He said that in the short term, however, states are obliged to respond to urgent, unavoidable and unanticipated effects of COVID-19. He said that the public health sectors requires costly and necessary assets.

President Granger noted that members recognise that given the multi-dimensional nature of COVID-19, extraordinary financing must be directed to support small states. He recommended three ways in which this can be done: (1) respond immediately to the life-saving exigencies of the pandemic

(2) develop holistic longterm recovery plans and exit strategies (3) build capacity to establish permanent public health structures to prepare for future global diseases The President commended the governments and institutions which have supported the flow of resources to small states such as Guyana.

The virtual meeting opened with a High-Level Segment in which Heads of State and Government expressed their commitment to decisively facilitate global solutions to address the global economic crisis and its effects on the most vulnerable.

A High-Level Panel of leaders from international institutions will discuss the challenges and opportunities to act quickly on the following six issues: --The need to expand liquidity in the global economy and maintain financial stability to safeguard development gains.

--The need to address debt vulnerabilities for all developing countries to save lives and livelihoods for billions of people around the world.

--The need to create a space in which private sector creditors can proactively engage in effective and timely solutions.

--Prerequisites for enhancing external finance for inclusive growth and creating jobs, including lowering the transactions costs of remittances.

--Measures to expand fiscal space and foster domestic resource mobilization by preventing illicit financial flows.

--Ensuring a sustainable and inclusive recovery by aligning recovery policies with the Sustainable Development Goals.

To date, Guyana has recorded a total of 150 positive cases of the Coronavirus. At the moment, there are 72 active cases while the number of deaths attributed to the virus stands at 11.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

Guyana receives 4,000 more test kits from PAHO -local PAHO/WHO rep says ‘unnecessary’ tests should be avoided AS local health authorities continue to increase testing for the novel coronavirus, it is guaranteed that the country will not be without test kits for a while, as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) donated an additional 4,000 test kits to the Ministry of Public Health, on Friday.

To date, PAHO has donated over 10,000 test kits to Guyana, said Resident PAHO/World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. William Adu-Krow, in response to a question asked by the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

According to Dr. AduKrow, test kits include swabs, a transport medium, a special enzyme, primers and probes.

“We have donated over 10,000 test kits to date; however, some were damaged either during transport to Guyana or in storage,” he said.

This support will be further extended in the coming month, as Guyana is set to receive between 15,000 and 20,000 kits from PAHO. “We should have enough to test everybody who needs to be tested…in the past few weeks we have seen that testing a whole lot of people keeps failing…we are testing too many

people, who do not need to be tested,” said Dr. Adu-Krow.

He urged health authorities to be careful when testing a large number of persons for COVID-19, because they may record fewer positive cases, instead of detecting the actual cases.

In giving an example, the PAHO representative said over 50 persons were tested recently and there were only a few positive cases. This, he said, indicates that many persons who do not need to be tested, are being tested.

Health authorities have so far tested 1,586 persons, and of those, 1,436 have tested negative for COVID-19.

While there is a high number of negative results, some 150 persons have tested positive for the disease. And, of those infected persons, a large number are asymptomatic.

Health authorities had used the high number of asymptomatic cases to justify the need for increased testing, but Dr. AduKrow believes that it might not have to be so.

“It was said that 37 per cent of the infected population are asymptomatic, but we do not have to test those people (asymptomatic persons) immediately because chances are,

Resident PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow

if you test them, they may not have converted to positive as yet...so if you test them, it will be negative and you will think they do not have anything, when in fact, they have something,” the PAHO representative advised.

This, he believes, could be avoided if authorities monitor persons who were in contact with infected persons for about five to seven days until they develop symptoms of the disease -- if they actually do.

In a past report, Dr. AduKrow was asked about the

rate of testing, to which he said it would tend to vary from country to country across the Caribbean, because there is are established criteria to determine the persons who are being tested.

And while there is nothing like an optimal testing rate, Dr. Adu-Krow said that Guyana’s is about 20-25 per cent, which is what obtains globally. This means that if 100 persons are tested, 25 per cent would be positive.

“If you open it up too wide, you would be testing a 1,000,

and only get 20; so you will be wasting test kits… On the other hand, if you are too rigid, you will be testing 10, and eight are positive. But you will be missing a lot,” Dr. Adu-Krow said.

It was anticipated that there would be a natural widening of the testing range, since private institutions were given the “green light” to test for COVID-19 and to treat infected persons.

Initially, the National Reference Lab was the only institution which was authorised to conduct tests, but it was reported that private institutions are now authorised to test for the virus.

PAHO has since expressed its willingness to assist private institutions in preparing themselves to test for the virus.

The international health organisation had “brought in” an expert to train technicians at the reference lab to conduct the test and is prepared to do the same for private institutions.

He said that PAHO normally supports Guyana by supporting the public health ministry, and they will continue to do so by giving them testing kits and now by supporting private institutions, which will have to follow World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

According to the WHO, COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus. WHO said most people infected with the coronavirus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.

Older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illnesses. The WHO believes that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it is spread.

“Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face.

The coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it is important that you also practise respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” the WHO has advised.

‘Keep the measures in place’ …PAHO recommends two-week extension of COVID-19 measures …says cases could reach over 10,000 if lifted arbitrarily

GUYANA’s emergency measures, which were employed to guard against the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), will come to an end on June 3, 2020, but Resident Pan American Health Organisation/World Health O r g a n i s a t i o n ( PA H O / WHO) Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow has warned that there could be a massive spike in cases, if the measures are lifted arbitrarily.

President David Granger has already said the measures will remain until the pandemic is under control, but in highlighting the specific detriments, which could stem from an arbitrary “reopening,” Dr. Adu-Krow said cases could spike to over 10,000, by July 15, 2020.

“If we lift everything, meaning the lifting the curfew, reopening schools, recreational facilities and so on, on June 3, we are likely by July 15 to see 10,777 cases,” said the local PAHO/WHO

representative, in response to a question asked by the Guyana Chronicle, on Friday.

Following a thorough assessment by the Public Health Ministry on Guyana’s prevailing health conditions, the emergency measures implemented to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic were extended for another month, in May. The updated COVID-19 Emergency Measures, Number Three, published in an Extraordinary Gazette, stated that the extension took effect from May 4 until June 3, 2020. The regulation requires citizens to remain indoors between 18:00 hours and 06:00 hours.

The emergency measures also speak sternly to, among other things, the restriction on visits, specific working hours allotted to essential services, preferential treatment for healthcare workers, social distancing and physical distancing protocols, religious worship and domestic travel.

“As it pertains to the measures, we have made

suggestions to the government…we have to be careful with lifting these measures… when we (PAHO) did an assessment on the whole Latin American and Caribbean region, we found that the measures here are 74 per cent on target, but the problem we have is the enforcement,” Dr. Adu-Krow lamented.

Despite the existing measures and prevailing situation caused by the pandemic, persons have been acting callously, by congregating and not practising social distancing.

In expressing his dissatisfaction with the behaviour of some Guyanese, Dr. Adu-Krow said: “We cannot do that, nobody can go out unless it is for an essential purpose or if it is an essential group…that is not happening, people are still doing what they want.”

The PAHO/WHO representative believes that the measures in place are adequate and once enforced, they can take Guyana a long way in the fight against

COVID-19.

While he is not against a possible lifting of the measures, Dr. Adu-Krow said if it was up to him, he would extend the measures for two weeks, then look at a “phased reopening” of the country.

A phased reopening of the country would reduce the projected cases tremendously, but an arbitrary reopening could lead right back to a lockdown, in the long run.

“We do not want a situation whereby measures are lifted then we see cases starting to climb again, resulting in another lockdown…when we have a phased approach it will be something we can all live with,” said the PAHO/ WHO representative.

Some local agencies and authorities have already started creating plans for a phased reopening of their services and operations, but President Granger has already made it clear that the measures will remain.

“The country will reopen when we have brought the

pandemic under control and when we are satisfied that the rate of infection has flattened and has been reduced to the extent that there is no danger to normal economic activity, meaning going to school, business places or even places of relaxation, would not bring about an infection and spread of the disease,” said President Granger during a recent interview on the National Communication Network (NCN).

The pandemic is still unfolding in Guyana and across the world, and in this regard, the president said he cannot predict a date and time, when the measures will be lifted. President Granger, however, made it clear that he would like to have everything “opened” as early as possible, but it all depends on Guyana’s ability to reduce the rate of infection and deaths.

Guyana has so far recorded over 150 cases of COVID-19 and lost 11 lives to the disease, and health

authorities have expressed concern that cases will continue to climb, especially if Guyanese continue to flout and disregard the containment measures.

“If we are to get better, we have to obey the rules… stay at home, avoid crowds and public places…we have to abide by these measures,” President Granger advised, noting that things are likely to get worse unless persons maintain proper hygiene and sanitary measures, and comply with the emergency measures.

The President strongly believes that the country could be “reopened” early, if persons comply with the emergency measures, which have been established and implemented since March 16, 2020.

“We are working to enforce those measures because if persons do not comply, we would not get out…if you continue breaking the rules, we will pay a high price for it,” said President Granger.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 30, 2020

First flight of stranded Guyanese set for next week --passengers, stakeholders must comply with outlined requirements --GCAA Field says the meticulous process is necessary

By Lisa Hamilton THE first flight of stranded Guyanese identified for controlled re-entry by the government is expected to come from Barbados next week. The following week, it is hoped that another flight will bring Guyanese home from North America.

The Guyana Chronicle has been reliably informed by Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Egbert Field that the potential travellers on the first flight are in the process of filling out the necessary forms for evaluation. On May 22, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) announced the approval of the controlled re-entry of approximately 300 Guyanese stranded overseas due to the coronavirus pandemic.

These individuals would have registered with the various diplomatic missions on or before May 21, 2020, and will return to the country after testing negative for COVID-19.

Field told the newspaper that there are Guyanese stranded in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, South Africa, as close as neighbouring Suriname and even as far as Malta. However, the

government is limited with regards to the repatriation assistance it can provide, due to a number of factors.

“The government understands the plight of stranded Guyanese,” he said. “The government has not abandoned the stranded Guyanese passengers out there, it’s just that we have to work with a phased approach to ensure that the measures and the conditions are met, so when they arrive here, they can be assured of gaining entry.”

A STRICT PROCESS Field explained that clearing the way for these Guyanese to return home is not as easy as it may sound; that there are logistics that must be planned out carefully, and other financial requirements that must be met.

For instance, before the flight coming from Barbados is confirmed, all persons authorised to travel have to first fill out a Repatriation Form provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The form collects basic contact information; travel history; medical history and accommodation preference for quarantine in the case that such is needed.

Regarding the latter, prior to being accepted, every individual must agree, by

way of their signature, that a negative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test does not necessarily exempt them from quarantine.

They must also agree that the said quarantine period could be at least 14 days, and that they will comply with the quarantine rules issued under the State of Emergency by the Ministry of Health.

Field said that the NCTF has learnt from its previous experience, whereby an overseas-based Guyanese student, who was taken into institutional quarantine upon his arrival here from Barbados in March, took the matter to court.

Though he subsequently lost the case, Field said that moving forward, it will be mandatory for all returning Guyanese to agree to possible quarantining and other measures for their own safety and the safety of others.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS Meanwhile, in order for persons to travel from a particular country, the Foreign Affairs Ministry also has to determine how many persons are interested. This is because the number of persons travelling influences the availability and cost of the flights, which are chartered and not sched-

GCAA Director-General Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Egbert Field

uled.

“If it’s $20,000 for the charter that LIAT is going to invoice for that trip, it means that the 50 or 60 passengers will have to pay for that, which is the cost of the charter, divided by the number of passengers,” Field explained.

He also noted that LIAT has a minimum number of persons that it will take on a flight.

Going back to the importance of the Repatriation Form, the Director-General said that it is only based on the approval of the individuals who apply that a list of only those names will be sent to the requisite airlines which are authorised to books the said flight.

The GCAA Head said that he was made aware that Eastern Airlines has been accepting payment from North American-Guyanese passengers for flights, but the airline has not yet been presented with an approved list of names.

He said that the Government of Guyana is thereby not responsible for any challenges which could arise.

“I was told that Eastern Airlines is selling tickets for a flight. I want to make this clear, the Task Force and the Civil Aviation Authority has not authorised any flights for Eastern Airlines as yet, and they have not indicated the

passengers who should be on that flight [who] would have to fill up the forms. This is in process right now, so, if Eastern Airlines is accepting monies from individuals for flights, I’m sorry to say that they have not been given any approval for flights as yet,” Field said.

Though the process takes time, he said that it is a necessary process to prevent imported cases of the virus. The NCTF and its stakeholders are working towards facilitating the flight from Barbados by June 2, 2020, via LIAT, at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Meanwhile, the flight from North America, a much larger flight, will be facilitated via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Field would like to remind the public that these developments do not mean that Guyana’s international travel ban has been lifted, but that the government is allowing for the gradual opening for limited repatriation flights.

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