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PRESIDENT SAYS SQUATTERS SHOULD OBTAIN LAND THE Pg2 RIGHT WAY

Flooding the Success squatters reflects a lack of humanity —says MP Pg2

Digicel makes overseas price reductions Pg2

Taxi driver charged for drug trafficking

Pg3

Guyana’s COVID toll is 110 and counting Pg2

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OAS: In danger of undermining the ‘Right to Protect

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PRESIDENT SAYS SQUATTERS SHOULD OBTAIN LAND THE RIGHT WAY used as collateral. If you invest it in a structured scheme, there is value and you can capitalise that for more than $5 million,” the President said.

The President said that the government will be focused on developing sustainable housing communities across the country especially in outlying and hinterland regions.

Speaking on the issue

of squatters at Success who are being forced off of state lands, President Ali said the government wants them to own their own lands but they must go about getting those lands the right way.

“Let me say to my brothers and sisters in Success whom we have reached out to on many occasions, it is not that we want you to be dislodged in the area. We want you

to own your own homes too.

“That is why we sent the housing teams so many times to see you but there is the right way of doing things and the wrong way and in Guyana, we have to get accustomed to doing things the right way.

Otherwise we will be developing communities that are not sustainable.”

The two-day event

which began on Friday saw thousands of persons gathered at the National Stadium to file applications for house lots and inquire about previous applications.

The Housing Ministry has said the event is primarily for first-time house lot applicants and persons who have to uplift their land titles after their names were recently President Irfaan Ali published.

Demerara villages has shocked many.

The disaffection has reached the stage where a member of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) opted to resign.

Member of Attorney at Law, Amanza Walton-Desir Parliament, Attorney at Law, The attack against Amanza Waltonthe squatters aback of Desir, told the media that some Lower East Coast the attack against the

squatters has transcended politics.

“The issue of the squatters and the situation is not a political issue. It is a human right and an issue of human dignity. Were we not so politically divided a country we could all agree it is an issue of human rights and dignity.”

The demographics of the squatters show that the affected people are not confined to one ethnic group.

“The actions of the government is callous. I look with much distress

seeing mothers packing up their bundles and trekking out with thir children and having no idea of where they are going to go.” Ms Walton-Desir said that it is saddening to see some of the commentaries on social media. It would appear that people have lost their humanity.

“You can see in a pandemic that is gripping the world, you can see other countries making interventions. It is disheartening to see comments like ‘Why didn’t Granger give them

land?’ or ‘Squatting is illegal’.

“To target a community by flooding where they live; and people with babies, where they live with children; this is no political issue.

“It is an issue of human rights; it is an issue of human dignity.”

To date no one has asked where these people can go or will go. Ms Walton-Desir said that for many, the squatting house they occupied was the only home they knew.

“A number of them

Speaking at the opening of a two-day event organised by the Ministry of Housing and Water for new house lot applicants, President Irfaan Ali called on squatters to do the right thing to obtain land. He also added that squatter settlements were not sustainable.

“If you invest $5 million in a squatter settlement, there is no value since it cannot be

Flooding the Success squatters reflects a lack of humanity—says MP

Digicel makes overseas price reductions

…. Digicel has further reduced overseas calling rates bringing the number of countries customers can call for $30, to 100. Digicel subscribers can now call countries including China, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Panama, St Maarten, Brazil, Venezuela, St Lucia, Dominican Republic and many MORE for the same low rate as calling a local number.

“This is the first of many service and product changes customers can expect, thanks to liberalisation. “, noted CEO, Gregory Dean.

The rate reductions

will result in the cost of overseas calls being significantly reduced by as much as 600% from the pre liberalisation rates.

This will be a great benefit for persons keeping in touch with friends and family and business persons needing to conduct trade globally.

Dean, commented; “We have also taken the decision to significantly boost the number of persons working on our network upgrades. We are making every effort to ensure customers see the promised benefits of liberalisation in the shortest possible time.”

have been put out because they cannot afford the rent because they don’t have their jobs due to the pandemic. I want to call on Guyanese, particularly those who are right-thinking to roundly condemn this action.”

The government claimed that it needs the land to resuscitate the sugar industry. However, a few months, while in Opposition, it was the government that sent people to squat on the land. This provoked a sympathy vote.

Guyana’s COVID toll is 110 and counting The Ministry of Health recorded 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday October 16. Nine cases were recorded in Region One, one in Region Two, four in Region Three, 24 in Region Four, one in Region Five, nine in Region Seven, and four in Region Ten. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 3,672.

The death toll is currently at 110. There have been 30 COVID-19 deaths recorded so far in October.

As of Friday, 16,561 persons have been tested for the virus. 2,590 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 972.

The Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dr. Lucio Pedro, disclosed that there are currently 37 postpartum mothers who are infected with the virus.

Pedro said the hospital was unsuccessful in determining how these

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women had contracted the virus.

Studies initially revealed that coronaviruspositive mothers do not transfer the virus to their babies, but other research has linked coronaviruspositive mothers to higher rates of premature births and maternal morbidity.

The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) had stated that studies showed pregnant women can be severely affected by COVID-19 but Dr. Pedro said none of the positive mothers had

shown any severe forms of the virus.

Dr. Pedro added that all swabs which were lifted from newborns for COVID-19 testing have returned negative.

Once a mother tests positive for the virus they are isolated from their newborns to help reduce infection. The hospital has also constructed a makeshift labour room for positive COVID-19 mothers to keep them separated from those who are not infected.

OAS: In danger of undermining the ‘Right to Protect’

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the U.S. and the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The view expressed are entirely his own) A noteworthy event occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, October 10, that could have implications for nations across the globe. It merits attention.

The Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, issued a statement, indicating that he “designated international human rights lawyer Jared Genser as Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P)”.

This appointment happened when the OAS is again facing dire financial circumstances and staff contracts are not being renewed.

Still, even in such difficult circumstances, an appointment of someone greatly needed to carry out the Organization’s work would be understandable.

The difficulty with this appointment is that it is not a priority identified either

by Ministers of member states or the Permanent Council of the OAS. Further, R2P is, rightfully, a matter on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly and under the authority of the Security Council.

Consequently, it is intriguing that, in his statement, Mr. Almagro said unequivocally that: “If existing international mechanisms are not responding to the demands and needs of the victims of mass atrocities in the Americas, at the very least the OAS should try to design and build a regional mechanism that can prevent and respond more efficiently, and in a timely manner, to crimes of this nature in the Western Hemisphere”.

Whether intended or not, this sounds like a dismissal of the UN Security Council and an arrogation by the OAS to act in its place “in the Americas”.

It is important to note that R2P was unanimously endorsed by the member-states of the United Nations at a World Summit in 2005. The agreement is designed to protect people the world over from four crimes: “genocide, war crimes,

crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing”.

The question arises, therefore, about the identity of the countries “in the Americas” where Mr. Almagro suggests that such crimes are being committed and against which action is required “more efficiently, and in a timely manner”.

If such countries exist in the Americas, why have they not been brought before the UN Security Council? And why is this matter not being raised for discussion, with the evidence of atrocities, by member governments of the OAS in appropriate bodies of the Organization?

The way this matter has crawled into the OAS – not in the full light of transparent discussion and decision but in a weekend media statement from the Secretary-General – is why suspicion surrounds the OAS. It is a suspicion with which all its member states are tainted as complicit. Silence is taken as consent.

A further consideration is that the R2P does not replace the UN Charter; R2P is a UN-led response to the problem of massatrocity crimes, and actions in furtherance of

it require UN Security Council authorization.

Therefore, why would the OAS – a group of only 33 governments – seek to usurp the UN of 193 states, and a 15-state Security Council?

Dr. Adrian Gallagher, Co-Director of the European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, makes the following salient point: “R2P does allow states to consider all coercive and noncoercive measures under Chapters VI, VII, and VIII of the UN Charter when a government is “manifestly failing” to protect its population from the four crimes. Though this does include the use of force, any action taken has to be authorized by the UN Security Council”.

In his statement, Mr. Almagro makes another point that merits attention.

He says: “The costs of not having an R2P regional mechanism at the OAS so far have been the continued loss of human lives and the persistence of impunity for mass atrocities crimes”.

He continues: “Yet, over time, there have been mass atrocities committed in far too many countries by repressive and undemocratic regimes”.

Sadly, where there have

been such instances in the past, in OAS countries, governments of other OAS member states have ignored them for narrow, political reasons. Such politically selective and convenient responses must stop if the OAS is to have any credibility in advancing the principle of R2P. In this regard, another observation by Dr. Gallagher is worth recalling: “It is important that those who champion the R2P do not overstate the scale of the crimes being committed. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro has invoked the Rwandan genocide as a pretext to justify R2P action in Venezuela, but clearly any such analogy is deeply flawed, as there is no pending threat of mass genocide”.

To be clear, the principle of R2P should be embraced by every country in the world.

Every government should uphold the human, civil and political rights of its people, not oppress them and certainly not murder them or eliminate any ethnic group within them.

Where governments execute heinous atrocities, the wider international community, particularly

neighbouring states, should act to prevent and punish them within the UN agreed framework.

The OAS should be discussing this openly and transparently, paying attention to every country in the Americas, and not just to those where the political or ideological interests of powerful states are served, one way or the other.

If the OAS continues the selective path that it has followed, it will reverse every step that it now makes to be regarded universally as a credible and respected organization.

That is not an OAS that will serve the peoples of the Americas well.

As a regional organization, the OAS should not seek to supplant global efforts at the UN; it would better serve the region and the world by providing objective and non-discriminatory leadership in upholding and advancing the principle of R2P within the UN agreement of 2005.

Taxi driver charged for drug trafficking A 40-year-old taxi driver was arraigned on Friday for the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Eon Weeks of Lot 1 Durban and Smyth Streets, Georgetown, appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Fabio Azore, where he pleaded not guilty and was placed on bail of $75,000.

The case was adjourned to November

9 and transferred to the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court.

According to reports from police, around 13:30 hrs. on Tuesday October 13, a motor car driven by the taxi driver and also occupied by a 20-year-old woman, was stopped by ranks at a road block on the Mahaicony Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The driver and the woman were searched

but nothing was found on them. A search of the trunk of the vehicle revealed two large bags containing seven compressed parcels of transparent plastic with leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis.

The police reported that after the narcotics were discovered Weeks allegedly admitted ownership The narcotics weighed around 15.4 kilograms.

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Nigel Hinds resigns VISITS LEADER OPPOSITION from NICIL protests SQUATTERS AT SUCCESS flooding of squatters

Accountant Nigel Hinds

Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon

Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, along with several Members of Parliament, visited the lands at Success, East Coast Demerara to observe the area and speak with the squatters.

The lands are intended to be used by GuySuCo in restarting sugar operations but the presence of the squatters has impeded progress from being made. Police were called to remove the squatters and there were several altercations between them and the squatters. Initially

a bridge leading to the lands was destroyed and the police fired pellets and tear gas at the squatters.

One woman also claimed that an officer threatened an 11-year-old child with a firearm.

Following the unsuccessful attempts to remove the squatters, the lands were flooded on Wednesday. Most of the land and structures built by the squatters were under water and still being used; many of them remain on the land since they have no other place to go.

Harmon noted that

squatting on land should not be necessary but the response of the government was similar to that of “slavemasters” and should not have been taken against them. The squatters also pointed out that no actions were being taken against other squatters on unused plantation lands.

Harmon continued to say that whether the land was owned by GuySuCo or NICIL, it was the State’s responsibility to negotiate with them and find a suitable resolution to the issue. The squatters

Security guard attacked at Success

The pump which security guard was guarding that pumpt water on the land

A security guard stationed at the Success Backlands, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was attacked on Thursday afternoon by two armed men on a motorcycle.

The guard was watching a pump being used by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on the land at Success.

Around 16:00 hrs. it

was reported that the suspects, armed with cutlasses, approached the security guard and began to attack him. The suspects then relieved the guard of his firearm and spare ammunition.

One of the suspects then fired at the pump before they fled the scene.

The police were then contacted and gave chase

to the suspects.

GuySuCo has been attempting to begin operations at the lands which are being occupied by squatters at Success.

GuySuCo began flooding the land on Wednesday to force the squatters to move but many still refuse to leave.

said that they want the situation to be resolved quickly and receive plots of land where they can construct houses. One squatter also pointed out that they were still waiting for details on their reallocation from the Minister of Housing.

Harmon promised to provide assistance to the squatters with commodities such as water and electricity and continued to call for the government to find a suitable resolution to this issue.

Accountant Nigel Hinds resigned with immediate effect from the Board of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) over the treatment of squatters on the lands at Success, East Coast of Demerara.

The state holding company, NICIL, has begun flooding squatters out of the area but many still refuse to leave the area. The squatters have also had pellets and tear gas fired at them by police on several occasions.

In Hinds’s resignation letter to NICIL Chair,

Paul Cheong, Hinds said that he wanted to disassociate himself from the “inhumane actions and onslaught on Guyanese residents that occupy the Success area on the East Coast of Demerara, an area of land that is owned by NICIL and not by the Guyana Sugar Corporation.”

He said that the actions taken against the squatters were “crude, cruel and callous”. He said that he did not want to continue to give the impression that he supported these acts.

Couple accused of Ponzi scheme halts repayments after computers seized by SOCU The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) seized a number of borrowed computers and phones from Yuri Garcia Dominguez on Wednesday. SOCU was acting on information that Dominguez had millions of dollars– suspected to be proceeds of money laundering– hidden in his home.

Dominguez, and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael, are accused of running a major Ponzi scheme through their company, Accelerated Capital Firm Inc. On Thursday Dominguez and his lawyer, Dexter Todd, explained that the

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Dominguez, and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael

seizure has prevented the company from repaying investors. The company began the process of repayment on Monday, October 12 but had only repaid 27 of 17,000

investors in those first two days.

In the initial stage of the investigation against Dominguez and his wife, their computers and continue on pg3

The state is usurping the functions of an elections court

…by charging people with electoral fraud The decision by the state to conduct investigations into election irregularities is being challenged. One legal opinion is that only a court could investigate electoral irregularities.

Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde contends that this is a sound legal opinion.

“The institution of these charges is one thing. The evidence in support of

those charges is another issue. We would be paying close attention to these charges that are being laid.

“We are very vigilant on paying attention to when these charges are likely to begin in terms of a hearing.”

The evidence can only come from the elections and Senior Counsel Forde said that this has implications.

“Once the evidence

starts to come out that they are seeking to go into matters directly connected to the election petition then you are seeking to raise issues which form part of the court’s resolution in relation to an elections petition.

“Those charges would have to be permanently stayed until the court hears and determines an elections petition.”

But the state has forged

ahead with charging people for electoral offences. The source of the legal advice has not been stated. However, generally, such advice to charge could only come from the Attorney General.

Mr. Forde said that the charges are very vague.

“While it is a correct principle in law to say that all those issues must be determined by an elections petition and can only be heard by an elections court we must contemplate that there may be the possibility for a charge.

“But those charges must form issues outside of an elections petition.”

Lawyers representing those charged say that all the charges appear to relate to an elections petition. Mr. Forde said that under such conditions the charges will and can go nowhere.

Guyana places hope on COVID vaccine The Ministry of Health recorded 31 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, October 15. Four cases were recorded in Region Two, 18 in Region Four, two in Region Seven, two in Region Eight and five in Region Nine.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now at 3,620. There have been 691 recorded cases over the last two weeks.

The death toll is currently at 108. The sum of 28 COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded so far in October.

As of October 15 there have been 16,451 persons tested for the virus. 2,522 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 990.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said that the Government will ensure that frontline workers are the first to benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.

The Minister said that through initial discussions with the Government of India, it was made known that India will be working to produce at least one billion doses of vaccines for early next year following a successful phase-three trial.

In September, President Irfaan Ali and Argentina’s President, Alberto Fernandez, had discussed regional collaboration and support in the fight against COVID-19.

Argentina is working on producing 250 million

doses of COVID-19 vaccines, some of which will be made available to countries in South America.

There have also been discussions with the Russian Ambassador in Guyana about the vaccine being used in clinical trials in Russia.

“So, we will see what comes out of the clinical trials and whether we can be able to utilise such vaccines here,” Minister Anthony said.

The minister also assured that the cost of the vaccines will be covered through COVAX and GAVI. The COVAX Facility is a global initiative that brings together governments and manufacturers to ensure

eventual COVID-19 vaccines reach those in greatest need. GAVI is a global vaccine alliance which brings together public and private sectors with the goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines. GAVI’s support is provided to countries based on their national income.

Guyana began to move beyond the threshold for GAVI eligibility when its gross national income surpassed US$1,500 per capita in 2011.

Support for immunisation programmes did continue as the country remained eligible for GAVI support.

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Couple accused of Ponzi scheme..... continued from pg2

phones were seized by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Dominguez had borrowed two computers and three phones in order to begin the repayment process.

Dominguez said that the incident was very unfortunate. There were a lot of misunderstandings around the payments, the dates and how much would be repaid. He also said the target for each week was to repay at least 215 investors.

SOCU on Thursday also seized the computers and phones of the couple’s two children, the couple’s birth certificates, marriage certificates, records of investors and other personal documents.

Dominguez was also

further charged by SOCU for running a company without a license and running a pyramid scheme.

Todd said that he was not allowed inside the house while it was being raided for over two hours on Thursday and Dominguez was not allowed out to speak with him.

The case against the couple will come up for case management conference on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George.

The couple has been released on bail with instructions to lodge their passports and regularly report to the CID

Two more COVID-19 deaths

The Ministry of Health has announced the deaths of two more persons who tested positive for COVID-19. The deceased are a 48-year-old man from Region One and a 71-year-old woman from Region Four.

These deaths bring the death toll for COVID-19 to 110. There have been 30 recorded deaths in the month of October.

The Ministry of Health continues to ask persons

to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO. 9), which are in effect until October 31st, 2020.

This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

US AGENCIES OFFER US$200B IN FINANCING FOR PROJECTS

CEO of the DFC, Adam Boehler

The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has said they are ready to invest in Guyana with around US$200 billion in funding available.

CEO of the DFC, Adam Boehler, led a team of investors comprising representatives from the US Treasury, the US State Department, the National

Security Council, Homeland Security and the Export Import (EXIM) Bank.

Boehler said they are eyeing opportunities in various sectors, including energy, agriculture and infrastructure.

Nicholas Boyer, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, said this “signals a new era in the US-Guyana

relationship and I think that is something we should take advantage of.”

Boehler said the DFC is looking to cooperate on several projects, including the deep water harbour, small and medium sized businesses, agriculture and reduction of electricity cost; He also focused on the Corentyne River Bridge which will link Guyana and Suriname.

“It’s a rare time of alignment between Suriname and Guyana to have great new administrations that are investing in their private market,” Boehler said.

Boehler continued to point out that the US will fund multi-billion-dollar projects as well as small entrepreneurs. He added that the private sector will be a strong partner for the

Dharamlall appoints Region 10 REO

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall

Dwight John

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, effective from October 14, 2020 has appointed Dwight John as the Regional Executive Officer (REO)

of Region Ten. John reportedly has a wealth of experience in Local Governance and Regional Development.

He has served as a Regional Development Officer for a number of

years.

Dharamlall stated that he is confident Mr. John will serve the people of Region Ten with distinction, and charged that he executes his functions in a fair and transparent manner.

“I welcome him aboard and look forward to his service to the people of Region Ten in furthering the inclusive agenda of the government.

“I have no doubt Mr. John will serve well in this capacity and I remain committed to working with the Regional Administration to realise the full potential of that region.”

various projects and he hopes that they will be announced soon.

Responding to questions on whether the projects will be given primarily to US businesses based in Guyana, Boehler said he supports a transparent and competitive selection process. He said in the bidding process for large projects, major competitors will be

Chinese companies, some of which are already involved in infrastructure projects in Guyana.

Boehler added that “high quality” is one thing that can differentiate American companies from others.

Teams from the agencies, the local private sector and the Government are expected to meet to finalise the projects and move forward.

COVID death toll 107 The Ministry of Health recorded 44 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday October 13. 29 cases were from Region One, two from Region Three and 13 from Region Four. Region Four has the highest number of recorded cases

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at 1,643 followed by Regions One and Nine at 587 and 367 respectively.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now at 3,565.

The death toll remains at 107. There have been 27 recorded COVID-19

deaths so far in the month of October.

As of October 13, 16,215 persons have been tested for the virus. 2,435 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 1,023.

POLICE SLAP SIX CHARGES ON GECOM’S CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER

2, 2020 elections; and for misbehavior in public office.

He is out on bail.

Mr. Lowenfield is also before the courts on private criminal charges filed by Desmond Morian of the People’s Progressive Party, and Daniel Kanhai of the nascent New

Movement. He was released on $150,000 bail on each charge.

One charge alleged that Lowenfield conspired with a person or persons unknown to commit the common law offence of fraud by representing to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

that tables attached to his June 23rd elections report accurately reflected the true results of the elections in order to materially alter the results, with intent to defraud as he knew the tabulation to be false.

Morian alleged that Lowenfield while performing his duty as

Chief Elections Officer, without lawful excuse or justification, he willfully misconducted himself by ascertaining results of the elections “knowing the said results to be false.

All told there were three charges.

Today, his attorney, Senior Council Neil

Boston said that the police filed six charges against Lowenfield. Appearing in court for the state was a lawyer from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He sought to oppose bail.

Attorney Boston said that Lowenfield was required to post $50,000 on each of the six charges.

The complainants are the police. These charges seem to supplement the private criminal charges which are likely to be thrown out.

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, during a press conference last week, stated that the police acting under the direction of the People’s Progressive Party, were out to harass and humiliate the Black staff members of the Guyana Elections Commission.

On arrival at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the police placed Lowenfield in the holding cell like a common criminal.

He will be returning to court on March 23, next, to answer the private criminal charges.

commercial flights.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said that passengers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR

test on arrival. which was taken at least seven days prior to travel. However, if the results were not received within three days of their travel, they would

have to take a second test at the airport.

“If the PCR test is done within 72hrs of travel, the passenger will not be required to do another

PCR test on arrival. If the PCR test is done within 4-7 days of travel, the passenger will be required to do a PCR test on arrival,” the Minister said.

The airports were previously only conducting cargo, repatriation, medical evacuation and special authorized flights. With

…Lowenfield released on $300,000 bail (middle)

…Lowenfield released on $300,000 bail The police slapped six charges against Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield today. The charges, according to the general statement are for tendering a forged document or documents stemming from the March

T

he Eugene F. Correia and Cheddi Jagan International Airports will be reopened today, October 12, to

Airports reopened

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the development of a comprehensive list of health and safety measures at airports and on aircraft, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will be able to ensure the safety of both staff and passengers.

Chief Executive

Officers of the CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Col. Ret’d Anthony Mekdeci, said they were confident that the systems in place are adequate for the restart of commercial flights.

Minister Edghill advised passengers to plan their travel ahead of time and be prepared to arrive early at international airports to have enough time to go through the newly established screening protocols.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said swabbing will be done at the airports while the PCR tests which passengers arrive with, will be validated by local authorities to ensure it is authentic. Passengers will be allowed to leave the airport once the negative result is confirmed.

The CJIA is expecting its first commercial flight today while the Eugene F. Correia International Airport will receive its first flight from Caribbean Airlines around October 19.

Body of missing Essequibo man found The body of an Essequibo man, who went missing during a family outing to Hamburg on Sunday, was recovered this morning.

Umal Jaggernauth, 25, of Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast, and about 25 of his family members left home about noon to go to Hamburg Beach on Sunday.

Jaggernauth and his uncle, Randy, were left to moor the boat after they arrived. After mooring the boat, Jaggernauth and his uncle began to swim to shore but only Randy reached the shore. The other family members were alerted and later went in search for Jaggernauth but did not find him.

The family members and Police returned to

Umal Jaggernauth

the area on Monday morning and recovered Jaggernauth’s body.

Essequibo River

Guyana’s COVID death toll races to 105 The Ministry of Health recorded 111 cases of COVID-19 over the weekend. Of these, 47 cases were recorded on Saturday October 10. A

further 64 were recorded on Sunday October 11.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now at 3,469. There have been 575 cases recorded in

the last 11 days.

The death toll has risen to 105 with the deaths of a 61-year-old woman from Region One, recorded on Friday and a 40-year-

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old woman from Region Four, recorded on Sunday.

There have been 25 COVID-19 related deaths recorded so far this October.

As of Sunday, 15,963 persons have been tested for the virus. 2,318 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 1,046.

JOSEPH HARMON, GECOM

CHAIR CLASH OVER DEALINGS WITH THE POLICE

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, at his weekly press conference, yesterday, accused Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh, of being “complicit and at best a part of the PPP’s plot to dismantle the current GECOM.” He said that Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission reported

that Crime Chief, Mr. Blanhum had written to the Chairman of GECOM requesting certain documents from GECOM. He said that these documents are under the jurisdiction of the Chief Elections Officer.

“It appears upon that communication, documents were released to the Police,” he added.

“It is no wonder that the Chairman of the Elections Commission has not raised her voice in concern for the welfare of these officers who worked with her.”

But Justice Singh released a statement refuting the allegation.

“It has been brought to my attention that Mr. Desmond Trotman, Commissioner of GECOM, in an interview

earlier today with the Press, alleged that as the Chairperson of GECOM, I have been “facilitating the handing over of information and the persecution of members of staff without showing any willingness to take some line of action.

She said that Trotman accused her of “facilitating every line of action that the police (are) taking.

“She has instructed that documents be handed over without ascertaining what the documents are going to be used for.”

Justice Singh did not dispute the approach by the Criminal Investigations Department. “I wish to state that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force had requested the contracts of some members of staff which I reported at a Statutory Meeting of the

Commission.

“After some discussion, I undertook t o seek clarity from the CID as to the purpose of the request as these documents are private to GECOM and those members of staff.

“A response from the CID advised that what in fact was required were their respective Job Descriptions. Considering that this information is public, I instructed the Human Resources Manager to provide Job Descriptions ONLY.” “As Chairperson of GECOM and a former Police Legal Advisor, I will always ensure that the best interest of the members of staff of GECOM are protected.”

Harmon said that the detention and charging of those staff members of

the Guyana Elections Commission represent clear instances of political persecution a n d

of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, from Chinese Ambassador, Cui Jianchun, at a simple ceremony at his Brickdam Office.

The donation contained a Nucleic Acid Extraction System and Viral Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits.

Minister Anthony said the machine will automate the process of extracting the coronavirus from the sample to help amplify it, so that the tests could be processed faster.

“We estimate that once the machine is up and running that the processing time would be reduced to about two hours, so that we would be able to do at least 96 samples within two to three hours and that would be a remarkable achievement.”, said

Minister Anthony.

He also noted that the supplies will greatly assist Guyana in the fight against COVID-19 and expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador and the groups for the donation.

The new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins, also conveyed his appreciation for the timely donation.

Ambassador Cui said the Chinese community will continue to work with Guyana in the fight against the disease. “I think that it is really, really important for the Guyanese people to

victimization of the Afro-Guyanese staff members of GECOM. He said that the action constitutes an attempt to dismantle GECOM and render it ineffective from being able to hold credible elections.

“It is an assault on democracy and can cause irreparable damage to the fundamental basis of our country.”

He said that there is a racist motive behind these arrests.

“I wish to note that not a single one of the Presiding

Officers and other GECOM officers responsible for the missing poll books, ballot papers and other polling documents have been even questioned, let alone detained by the police.

“This is not an investigation, it is a campaign of intimidation, bullyism, and psychological warfare by the Police and the PPP. “No other person working in the Commission of any other ethnicity has been treated this way.”

Chinese community donates $17M worth of equipment

The Association of Chinese Enterprise in Guyana (ACEG) and the Chinese Community in Guyana donated approximately $17.2

million worth of laboratory diagnostic supplies to help improve COVID-19 testing.

The equipment was received by Minister

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fight against COVID-19.

We think that if we work together … we could win the final victory.”

The Ministry has received quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, computers, LIFEPAK monitor/ defibrillator machines, biosafety bags, tablets and other medical supplies and equipment in the battle against COVID-19 from the Government of India, PAHO/WHO and other partners in the battle against the disease.

Fire destroys CARICOM Auto Parts

Scenes from CARICOM Aoto Parts fire The Guyana Fire Service responded to reports of a fire at the bond of CARICOM Auto Parts Store at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara on

Friday.

Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, said that calls from residents about the fire began coming in around 14:00 hrs.

By the time firefighters arrived, the building had already been engulfed in flames which were beginning to threaten nearby buildings. They

were able to contain the fire but by that time it had already destroyed at least 80 million dollars in car parts.

It was reported that

Scenes from CARICOM Aoto Parts fire

the fire was started by a customer after he was told that the store did not have a part he needed in stock.

Imran Inshan, the owner of the business,

was told by his employees that after the customer was told the item was not available, he asked the employees to check for it.

When they turned away from him he set fire to a piece of paper and threw it into the bond, thus starting the fire.

The man then fled the scene on a bicycle.

Inshan said he will review security footage to attempt to identify the man.

The Fire Chief has said that the incident is being treated as arson.

Investigations are still ongoing.

COVID deaths reach 103

The Ministry of Heath recorded 29 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday October 9, last. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now at 3,358. There have been 390 cases recorded in the last seven days.

The death toll has increased to 103 with the deaths of a 28-year-old man from Region Two and a 57-year-old man from Region Four.

As of October 9, a total of 15,568 persons have been tested. The number of active cases in the country at 1,075.

The Ministry continues to remind Guyanese to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO. 9), which are in effect until October 31, 2020.

This emphasises

need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good handhygiene to help reduce the spread of order COVID-19 the

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Dodging the China question

By Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the U.S. and the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The view expressed are entirely his own) Of all the questions that both Kamala Harris and Mike Pence dodged during the U.S. Vice Presidential debate on October 7, the most revealing concerned China.

Susan Page, the moderator, from the publication, “USA Today”, put a clear question to Pence and Harris in turn: “We have no more complicated or consequential foreign relationship than the one with China. It is a huge market for American agricultural goods.

“It’s a potential partner in dealing with climate change and with North Korea; and, in a video tonight, President Trump again, blamed it for the Coronavirus saying China will pay… how would you describe our fundamental relationship with China: Competitors?

Adversaries? Enemies?”

Apart from being very categoric, in keeping with President Trump’s position, that “China is to blame for the coronavirus”, and “China had been taking advantage of America for decades”,

Vice President Pence did not say whether China was a competitor, adversary or enemy of the U.S. Senator Harris was no clearer in her response.

She said President Trump’s trade war with China “resulted in the loss of over 300,000 manufacturing jobs and a manufacturing recession, and the American consumer paid thousands of dollars more for goods because of that failed war”.

She added, “Pew, a reputable research firm has done an analysis that shows that leaders of all of our formerly allied countries have now decided that they hold in greater esteem and respect Xi Jinping, the head of the Chinese communist party, than they do Donald Trump”.

From these answers, it is little wonder that people in the U.S. have no clear picture of their country’s relationship with China.

The real situation is far more complex, and both Pence and Harris know it.

The U.S. and China are the two largest economies in the world.

They have an inter-dependent relationship not only in bilateral trade and investment, but in the maintenance of a stable global economy that serves both their interests for markets and supply of raw materials that neither of them has.

Both Pence and Harris

know that it is not in the interest of the U.S. to encourage hostility with China. They both dodged the question because they each weighed their answers on a narrow, ‘political opportunity’ basis.

Pence’s response fed prejudice against Chinese, and Harris’s answer nurtured a sentiment of horror that an American leader could be less respected than a Chinese ‘communist’. Neither of them set-out a clear and constructive strategy for relations with China.

The absence of a China strategy is also obvious in the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) whose membership is divided between recognition of China and Taiwan. Nine of the 14 independent CARICOM states have diplomatic relations with China, and five others with Taiwan.

Once this division remains, there can be no “CARICOM Strategy” on China. Although, as I have argued in other writings, CARICOM, by now, should have negotiated a formal collective partnership with China that covers the terms of trade, investment, labour practices (including the use of imported Chinese workers for projects); competition; and dispute settlement through independent machinery.

Instead, the nine

CARICOM countries have an ad-hoc relationship with China that is characterised by Chinese investment and loans, as well as a trade surplus in China’s favour.

The increased presence of Chinese companies in the nine CARICOM countries as well as their importation of Chinese labour for their projects have caused resentment in local populations. These concerns have not been adequately addressed.

The ground for growing anti-Chinese sentiment has been fertilized recently by statements from high representatives of the U.S. government. These include questioning the value of Chinese money if it “feeds corruption and undermines your rule of law”, and calling for investments to be examined “if in fact they ruin your environment, and don’t create jobs for your people”.

Ahead of the March 22 meeting between President Trump and leaders of five Caribbean countries – Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and St. Lucia – a White House spokesperson said one of its aims was to “counter China’s predatory economic practices.”

Within CARICOM countries, these unsubstantiated statements appeal to prejudiced-thinking in certain sections of the

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societies. This thinking could be tempered by better information.

Misapprehension lingers because governments have failed to inform their people fully.

For example, the amount of money borrowed from China to finance much-needed infrastructural projects, is considerably reduced by using Chinese labour.

It is also little known that China, as a donor state, contributes to regional economies through its membership of the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and as a Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States. Its investment outreach to the Caribbean is not only bilateral; it is also multilateral.

Many – if not all – of these matters could be addressed in a transparent and balanced manner if CARICOM countries could jointly negotiate a partnership agreement with China as they have done with the European Union.

Further, joint CARICOM negotiations, using the leverage available to the entire region would be more advantageous than national bargaining where China would be in a much stronger position.

This observation equally applies to the CARICOM relationship

with the U.S. which is no less ad-hoc and lacking in regional strategy. The U.S. enjoys a perennial trade surplus with Caribbean countries that topped $4 billion in 2019, notwithstanding preferences for a narrow range of goods exported by some CARICOM countries.

While the U.S. has withdrawn from offering loans and investments to the majority of Caribbean nations, and International Financial Institutions have disqualified many of them from concessional financing, China filled the gap with soft loans and, in some instances, grants particularly in the struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2006 to 2015, under the George W. Bush and Barack Obama Administrations, while expressing concern about China’s influence in the region, the U.S. generally viewed China’s engagement with the region positively, regarding it as a contributor to economic growth.

Such collaboration with Caribbean participation would be beneficial to all.

CARICOM countries need joint strategies toward the U.S. and China. They should be based on being partners not pawns in any game of competition, rivalry, or enmity.

DCEO ROXANNE MYERS CHARGED FOR MISCONDUCT IN PUBLIC OFFICE

D

eputy Chief Elections O f f i c e r Roxanne Myers has been granted $300,000 bail following her first court appearance today at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Police charged Myers with two counts of misconduct in public office regarding the March 2 election. She was granted $150,000 bail on each charge.

She is expected to make her next court appearance on October 23.

Myers surrendered to police and was arrested on Tuesday, after seeing a report that police were looking for her. Police spokesman, Assistant

Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor, said they have been trying to reach the DCEO for questioning for over a month.

Myers’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes said that Myers exercised her right to silence during a video interview with investigators and was then informed that she would be arrested for alleged obstruction of justice.

The police refuted Hughes’s claims on Wednesday in a statement saying Myers was arrested for the offence of “conspiracy to defraud” and she was told of the allegation at the said time.

She then exercised her right to remain silent.

Hughes later released

a transcript of the proceedings at CID and showed that the police lied.

Attorney Ronald Daniels, another of Myers’ lawyers, refuted the account provided by the Police Force, claiming that Myers was arrested for “perverting the course of justice”. This claim was also denied by police.

The Guyana Police Force has been pitchforked to investigate alleged criminal conduct of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Returning Officer of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, and several others, in relation to the March 2, 2020 General and Roxanne Myers Regional Elections.

Two dead after car crashes into motorcycle 10 Oct 2020/0 Comment

scences fro the accident

T

wo men died on the Chateau M a r g o t Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) this morning.

The deceased are 24-year-old Kevin Persaud, a mechanic of Goedverwating, ECD; and 52-year-old Lionel Brower, a security officer of Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD. Persaud was driving

a motorcar and Brower was on a motorcycle According to a report from the Guyana Police Force, the motorcycle was heading west on the southern side of the road and the car was going in

the same direction. The motorcar then collided with the rear of the motorcycle “without explanation”.

The car lost control and crashed in a canal on the northern side of the

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road while the rider of the motorcycle was thrown around 100ft from the point of impact.

Both men received injuries about their bodies and were taken to the Georgetown

Public Hospital by the police where they were pronounced dead.

The bodies are currently at Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.

The truth of the confrontation between the police and Roxanne Myers I have read what purports to be a press release from the Guyana Police Force dated October 7, 2020 and which release is titled, “Police Statement Regarding Arrest of Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Ms. Roxanne Myers.”

Might I state

The interview was captured on video and my narration of the events, as they actually unfolded, can be corroborated by the video recording, pre-supposing that the integrity of the video recording is preserved.

The interview was conducted by Assistant

Mr. Caesar then asked Ms. Myers if she would mind removing her mask briefly to permit the camera to capture her face.

He made it clear that this was not compulsory. Ms. Myers politely declined observing that she is sensitive to the Covid-19 risk and wanted to avert

Defendant, Lawer Nigel Hughes categorically that the narration of the police of the events subsequent to Ms. Myers voluntarily attending the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary, is a radical, deliberate, and unfortunate departure from the truth.

I remained at CID with Ms. Myers after Mr.

Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. (Michael) Caesar, Head of Major Crimes Unit, who introduced himself in these terms. He introduced Inspector Nigel Stephens as his scribe and Corporal Desmond Johnny as the operator of the video equipment. The interview commenced at 12:07 p.m.

any risk.

What follows is a substantively verbatim record of the questions ASP Caesar asked Ms. Myers and her responses: Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, are you employed by GECOM? Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers,

This time was relayed to me by ASP Caesar.

I inquired from ASP Caesar at the outset whether Ms. Myers was being treated as a suspect in the commission of any offence. He explicitly responded that she was not a suspect.

are you Deputy CEO of GECOM? Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, are you, were you a part of the staff that worked during the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections?

Some of the protesters Hughes was required to return to the Criminal Assizes. I sat through the police interview with Ms. Myers and remained at the CID up until Ms. Myers was being put into the police van to be taken to the Beterverwagting Police Station.

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, is your office located at Barack and Fourth Streets Kingston, Georgetown?

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, could you please state your present address.

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, do you have any supervisory control over the… of GECOM Headquarters.

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: An interview was done with Mr. Keith Lowenfield.

Do you know Mr. Lowenfield?

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: In that interview Mr. Lowenfield was asked for certified copies of the SOP used to make two (2) declarations in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. He said he was on leave and we must ask you for those documents.

Are you in possession of those documents?

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, the police need those documents to conduct an investigation.

Your holding those documents could cause you to be charged for obstructing an investigation.

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent. *Insp.

Stephens intervened at this time to clarify with Mr. Caesar whether the documents he is referring to are the SOPs. Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, when last you went to work at GECOM office at Barack and Fort Street?

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Roxanne Myers

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers, are you living at the address on the record at GECOM office for you?

Ms. Myers: I reserve my right to remain silent. **Mr. Caesar then indicated that was the end of the interview unless Mr. Stephens wanted to ask anything further. Mr. Caesar, especially, was visibly frustrated by Ms. Myers responses. Mr. Stephens signalled to Mr. Caesar for them to speak outside. They asked for an excuse. They returned to the room a few short minutes after.

When they returned to the room Mr. Caesar said as follows: Mr. Caesar: Counsel, I will now have to put an allegation to your client for perverting the course of justice.

Mr. Caesar: Ms. Myers: It is alleged that you are perverting the course of justice and as such you will be placed in custody.

During the course of the investigations we will have persons to confront you with.

Mr. Caesar then invited Ms. Myers to exit the room where he placed her in the custody of Women Inspectors Castello and McBean whom he instructed to book her and take her to Beterverwagting Police Station.

I maintain that at no time did ASP Caesar, Insp.

Stephens, or any other police officer, on or off camera, put the allegation of ‘conspiracy to defraud’ to Ms. Myers.

Ronald J. Daniels Senior Associate Attorney-at-Law Hughes, Fields & Stoby

Guyana’s COVID deaths surpass 100 T

he Ministry of Heath recorded 37 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday October 8. One dozen cases were recorded in Region One, four in Region Two, 16 in Region Four, four in Region Seven and one in Region Eight.

Region Four has the highest number of recorded cases at 1,551, followed by Regions One and Nine with 521 and 364 respectively. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now at 3,329.

The death toll has risen to 101 with the deaths of a 57-year-old man

from Region Seven and a 43-year-old man from Region Three. There have been 21 deaths recorded so far in October.

AS of October 8, 15,450 persons have been tested for the virus and 2,165 have recovered.

This leaves the number of active cases in the country

at 1,063.

The Chinese government has also donated a COVID-19 testing machine that will improve the capacity for testing in Guyana and reduce the waiting time for results.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh, said

results could be obtained within two to three hours with the use of this machine. “This is what we call an extractor, which extracts the viral genetic material so it takes a faster time to get the results.”

Current testing takes 48-72 hours to return results. Dr. Singh noted

that samples coming from hinterland regions will take at least a day to get back results.

Dr. Singh added that testing would be done in batches. Between 200 and 300 tests are being done in a day.

Barbadian fined, jailedafter marijuana bust Barbadian Mr. Michael Forde and Trevor Robinson

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Head, James Singh

A Barbadian seaman, Michael Forde, was fined $51 million and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for the offence of trafficking in narcotics. Forde was arrested and charged with five others after 150 pounds of marijuana were found on a Barbadosregistered cargo boat.

Three Barbadians

The marijuana that was found on the vessel

and three Guyanese were arrested during the Wednesday night raid at a southern Georgetown wharf from where the vessel, named CV 1, was preparing to leave with agricultural produce.

The marijuana was found in false compartments on the vessel.

Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) Head, James Singh, said the seizure was part of an

The Guyanese who were nabbed on the vessel on Wednesday evening: Randy Welch, Hardat Monilall, Clyde Outridge and James Emptage ongoing operation with external agencies.

Three of the others arrested were Hardatt Munilall, Trevor Robinson

and Randy Welch. CANU Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford, said Welch was charged with aiding and abetting trafficking and the

others were charged with trafficking in narcotics but the charges against them were dismissed.

GECOM DEPUTY CEO REMAINS IN POLICE CUSTODY

T

he Deputy Chief Election Officer, R o x a n n e Myers, was taken into Police custody on Tuesday morning and remains in custody after refusing to answer questions from the Police in their investigation of alleged electoral fraud.

Myers’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes, said that she was moved to the Beterverwagting Police station and has been refused station bail. He also said the only charge put to her is obstruction

Roxanne Myers

A statement issued by of justice because of her decision to exercise her the Police Force rejected right not to answer any the claims made by the Attorney regarding the questions posed to her.

reason for the Deputy CEO’s arrest.

The statement said that the Myers was being held in custody for conspiracy to defraud.

The Guyana Police Force has been conducting a comprehensive investigation into alleged criminal conduct of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Returning Officer of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, and several others, in relation to the March 2, 2020 Genera and Regional Elections.

14

Lowenfield, is facing private criminal charges filed by political representatives of the People’s Progressive Party and the New Movement party. The charges alleged that he engaged in fraud, misconduct in office and breach of public’s trust.

Mingo is facing four charges alleging that he misconducted himself in public office and is also before another court facing a joint electoral fraud charge with former Health Minister and PNC/R Chairperson,

Volda Lawrence, for conspiracy to commit fraud.

Lowenfield is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Friday, October 9, 2020, and Mingo’s next court dates are November 16, 2020, and December 15, 2020.

Today, he reported to the Criminal Investigations Department with his lawyer, Nigel Hughes.

Also reporting to CID Headquarters was Volda Lawrence and Carol Joseph.

By Sir Ronald Sanders

Editorial Dismissals and supersessions represent the new government order

T

he head of government always says that he will lead on behalf of all the people.

That should mean that everyone would have equal access to everything that the government controls.

But the society is seeing that this is not really the case. In fact, one is led to believe that incompetent or people who were less than competent actually occupied positions of leadership in the various branches of the society.

One would arrive at this conclusion when one looks at the people who are being replaced in the various government and state agencies.

One can ask about the reason for the replacements but rest assured, one would never get an accurate answer.

Vincent Adams, perhaps the most qualified of the people to head the Environmental Protection Agency, was simply swept aside. There was a brief article that suggested that Adams’s affiliation to the Alliance For Change may have had something with the government removing him.

This has been a common feature for

the most part. Dr. Richard Van West Charles headed the Guyana Water Inc. He conducted a massive potable water programme in the Rupununi and in other parts of the

conviction that the replacement is better than the person who was in place.

It may be a case of paying someone for political support during the March 2

remains the deputy.

There has been no promotion for Dr. Karen Boyle.

The government appointed another supporter to the top position, leaving Dr. Boyle where

There are advisers everywhere.

Robeson Benn has an adviser at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr. Frank Anthony has two at the Ministry of Health—but since

country. Places that never had potable water were now enjoying water flowing through their taps.

Yet Dr. Van West Charles was removed as soon as the government changed. He still had another year on his contract but he was removed.

One can only imagine that the society has come to accept such removals on the ground of politics.

It seems that even the reporters believe that such removals are the norm.

Perhaps at one of the press conferences someone may make bold to ask questions about the removals. No one can say with

elections.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation has a new Chief Executive Officer.

People may remember that after the elections this individual was part of a team granted a contract to investigate some happening involving the operations of the Coalition administration.

The PPP said that the investigation was done pro bono; so the Guysuco job has to be the payoff.

This individual a few years back proclaimed support for the AFC. He got no big position back in 2015 so he shifted his loyalty once more.

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer

she has been for a while.

Karen Boyle’s physical appearance may have conveyed the impression that she is not a supporter of the People’s Progressive Party.

The result is that she is not good enough to be the bride.

There have been adjustments in some other areas.

Suddenly Guyana is seeing the largest number of advisers.

Some ministries now have two.

These advisers supersede the professionals who have been working there.

The minister must now listen to his advisers.

More dismissals could follow on the grounds of redundancy.

their appointment COVID-19 deaths have gone through the roof—and even Priya Manickchand has an adviser at the Education Ministry.

And while all this shuffling and replacing is going on, the political campaign must go on. Opponents must be prepared to be attacked with fabrications.

David Granger has been accused of buying a Sports Utility Vehicle for $35 million.

The records show otherwise but the government is not changing that tune.

Even Charles Ramson whose intelligence is questionable— he wanted to be the presidential candidate; then he

15

wanted to be an oil expert after he was so dubbed by Kaieteur News; then he could not pronounce battalion—takes to social media that his party has found the vehicle but can’t find Granger.

Granger is very much a public figure. Just Monday he was officiating at a public function at Agricola, East Bank Demerara.

Perhaps those incidents are blips in Irfaan Ali’s pledge to lead on behalf of everyone. Then something happens.

He says that he will not deal with the political opposition until it stops saying that his government is illegal.

One cannot rule on behalf of an individual or group of people with whom one has no discussion.

But what is all this talk about not holding discussions until one side stops saying that the government is illegal. Five years ago the PPP was saying that the Coalition was illegal. Do suh nah like suh.

Joseph Heller wrote a classic, Catch 22. This is recommended reading if one is to understand the present government.

Ministry of Housing warns against land allocation scam

Hon.Collin Croal

The Ministry of Housing is reminding the public to be alert for phone calls from a person or persons claiming to be the Minister of Housing & Water, Collin Croal, on the premise of allocating house lots to single parents in the Providence, Lusignan, and Dairy areas

for $100,000.

Persons are being asked to send money to an MMG Account which is falsely being linked to the Office of the First Lady, Ms. Arya Ali, under the pretext of payment for the house lot.

The Ministry wanted to make it clear that no Land allocation is made directly from the Minister’s office.

All allocations are made by the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) using the prescribed procedures established by the agency.

Applications and at Vreed-en-Hoop RDC Compound, Region Two, 5, New Amsterdam, RDC interviews are done at the Compound Region Three, Fort Wellington RDC Compound, Region Six, regional offices located Anna Regina, RDC compound Region Five Lethem, Region Nine and

16

Linden, Region Ten. The Ministry cautioned persons against participating in any unlawful transactions.

They recognize that the demand for housing is great and continually growing and it presents an atmosphere for the criminal elements to thrive on persons’ gullibility during this period.

The Ministry assures all applicants, that applications will be dealt with in due process as work towards satisfying the obj ect i ve of adequat e housi ng as a basi c hum an r i ght .

Jury trials have restarted

J

ury Trials have recommenced.

On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, the Demerara Assizes opened and two juries were empaneled in the cases of The State v Desmond James and The State v Keron Taylor.

The judges presiding are Justice Brassington Reynolds, Justice

Navindra Singh and Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry conducted another empaneling on Wednesday.

Both James and Taylor were freed on the first day of the court hearings. The judge, Justice Navindra Singh, upheld no-case submissions.

The two men who

were represented by Mark Conway and Nigel Hughes, respectively, were indicted for the 2014 stabbing to death of Glendon Cox, at Aranka, North West District.

Jury trials were suspended since March due to the incidence of COVID-19. On Monday, October 5, 2020, Justice Brassington Reynolds

resumed a jury trial which commenced in March 2020 but had to be adjourned due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

These resumptions are a monumental achievement as many jurisdictions worldwide have been unable to restart this essential judicial service.

The Judiciary of Guyana has been working

assiduously over the past 6 months to facilitate the safe resumption of jury trials for the October Session of the Demerara Assizes.

Similar efforts are being undertaken with respect to the Essequibo and Berbice Assizes. These efforts at resuming jury trials have been in recognition of the fact that Jury service is integral to the criminal justice system of Guyana.

A number of measures have been put in place for the safe conduct of cases.

For instance: Judges, Jurors, court staff, attorneys-at-law and all court users will be socially distanced.

Cameras, video link and video conferencing facilities have been installed.

Plexiglass has been placed around witness boxes, desks and other furniture Sanitizing dispensers are in all courtrooms and constant sanitisation of jury seating, court furniture, exhibits and the

courtroom will be done.

Temperature screening will also be conducted upon entry of everyone to the court compound.

The summoning of a jury panel is staggered to allow for social distancing.

Court corridors have been utilized to accommodate the empaneling of juries.

The media is allowed to report on the trials remotely by audio visual link.

The members of the public especially relatives of accused or victims may also view trials by video link. These measures are dealt with extensively in our protocols for the resumption of jury trials during the Covid 19 pandemic.

We are heartened by the fact that the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Police Force, who are all important actors in the Criminal Justice process are on board with the provision of courtrooms and IT facilities at the prison.

Email or text your letters to us we would be happy to publish them ExxonMobil Oil Rig

adameharris@yahoo.com lendellnurse6995@gmail.com 17

HOROSCOPE

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

It might be challenging dealing with those who are closest to you today. Best to ask yourself if what you are doing is useful. Go slowly and stick to practical tasks. If you work carefully, you won’t have to do the same job again. As the wise carpenter said, “Measure twice, cut once.”

Whatever you do today, proceed slowly, carefully and cautiously. If you try to rush anything, you will regret it. Furthermore, if you are hasty about pushing something through, authority types might try to block you. Easy does it – steady Eddie.

Whatever you do at work today (or for whatever task you’re doing) might be a bit of a slog. The secret is to slow down and be observant. Do things bit by bit. Do each task carefully. Don’t let others discourage you. Expect small gains but proceed in a slow, steady way.

You might be frustrated today because whatever you try to do (likely from behind the scenes) you will meet with opposition. It might be in the form of rules and regulations. It might be in the form of a strong opinion from social media? Be careful.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

If you try to coordinate the efforts of others today, it will be like herding cats.

Expect some opposition. Others might object because of financial reasons or because they think you’re moving too fast. Any advance will have to be slow and steady.

Parents might find it frustrating dealing with their kids today. There’s no point in throwing your weight around. Accept the fact that you can only make small advances and achieve small results.

It’s easy for people to feel discouraged.

Respect that and don’t be demanding.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Expect opposition to whatever you try to do today, especially from authority figures and possibly from a partner or close friend. It’s as if you’re trying to do the impossible? Two steps forward, one step back. In fact, it feels more like one step forward and two steps back! Go gently.

Whatever you attempt to do at home or within your family might meet with resistance and opposition. Don’t overreact.

Be calm. Today is full frustrating little moments that can be overcome with quiet perseverance. Do not engage in angry confrontations. (Definitely!)

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Travel plans might be blocked today.

Likewise, your efforts to explore opportunities in publishing, the media, higher education, medicine and the law will be discouraging. Be satisfied with small successes. Everything is relative.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

It will not be easy for you to get your way today so the sooner you can grasp this, the easier this day will be for you. Remember the game where you say please take a giant step? Or please take a baby step?

Today is full of baby steps – at best.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Do not try to force financial matters today or purchases. There might be a reason that you meet with obstacles and objections from others. Maybe you need to take a moment and listen? If something is important, you will still be able to do it later.

Disputes about shared property, inheritances or anything that you own jointly with others (including debt) might be tough to deal with today. It’s hard to get cooperation. Whatever you do today, you will have to do carefully and pay attention to detail. One step at a time.

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19

Amerindian & Foods GUYANA’S AMERINDIAN Guyana’s Amerindian population consists of several tribes, including the Caribs, Wapisianas, Arawaks, and Warraus.

Anthropologists believe that Amerindian tribes were Guyana’s first inhabitants, arriving around 11,000 years ago. They settled lowlying coastal regions of the country, where they fished, hunted, and used a variety of plant species to produce fibers, oils, dyes, and a variety of different dishes.

Over the centuries, Guyana’s Amerindian population migrated inland, penetrating the dense jungle via the country’s extensive river system, constructing temporary and permanent settlements. While Amerindians dwelling in coastal regions lived on turtles, fish, crabs, and snails, those inhabiting the savannahs hunted various types of mammal, including deer, monkey, and sloth, as well as various types of waterfowl. Guyana’s indigenous eetay palm is an important source of flour in Amerindian cuisine, while the country’s interior is also rich in cashews and wild honey.

CASSAVA BREAD

Amerindian cuisine remains incredibly popular in Guyana, both within traditional indigenous villages and in towns and cities. In 2014 Tuma Sálâ opened in Georgetown, establishing itself as the country’s first Amerindian restaurant.

PEPPERPOT – TASTY TRADITIONAL GUYANESE DISH

Image courtesy International Institute of Tropical Agriculture | Flick Next, the fully dried cassava root, resembling off-white flour, is poured into circular forms to cook over a fire. It is hung to dry and is soon ready to eat.

While cassava bread is one of Guyana’s best known and loved foods, its preparation can require days of travel to obtain the right ingredients.

Made from just cassava and salt, farine can be mixed with sugar and milk, creating a nutritious drink. It can safely be stored over long periods, and it is an effective thickening agent for stews and soups. Farine can also be used as a stuffing for chicken or fish, and it forms a key component in several sweet dishes, such as white pudding, coconut rock buns, and black cake.

PEPPERPOT – TASTY TRADITIONAL GUYANESE DISH G u y a n e s e Pepperpot is an Amerindian dish popular in Guyana and sometimes called pepper pot stew by the locals. It is traditionally served at Christmas and other special events; it is also Guyana’s national dish. Pepper pot is typically a stewed meat dish, strongly flavored with cinnamon, hot peppers, and Cassareep – a special sauce made from the Cassava root. Beef, mutton, and pork are the most popular meats used, though some have been known to use chicken. Pepperpot is popularly served with dense bread and butter, though it is equally as good with rice or roti

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR LIBERALISED

Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips, has announced that the Government of Guyana issued Commencement Orders to fully bring into force the Telecommunications Act 2016 and the Public Utilities Commission Act 2016 The commencement of these Acts is described as historic. It will be aligning Guyana’s telecommunications regime to those found

in other countries in the world and ending a thirtyyear-old anti-competitive telecommunications monopoly.

The implementation of these pieces of legislation will create a modern and competitive environment for telecommunications, greater choices, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers and will ensure that all operators continue to enjoy the same benefits provided by the previous

legislature.

The Prime Minister also said that this step is consistent with the government’s vision of furthering national and regional social and economic development.

The Telecommunications Act will address the expansion of telecommunications networks and services into unserved and underserved areas through the institution of a new

universal access and services programme. It will create a level playing field for the sector with a clear framework.

There will also be transparency and nondiscrimination in the issuance and monitoring of licences and authorisations to use the spectrum, seamless interconnection and access between telecommunications networks and services, and price regulation. It will also guarantee equal

treatment of stakeholders and benefits and protection for consumers.

T h e Telecommunications Act 2016 was first laid out in the 9th Parliament in August 2011, and again in the 10th Parliament in 2012. The Act was finalised before the 2015 elections.

It was enacted by the Coalition Government in 2016 by Minister Catherine Hughes, with bipartisan support.

However, only a few sections of the Act were put into force.

Prime Minister Phillips emphasised that these legislations straddled administrations, and were the subject of extensive negotiations with stakeholders which lasted nearly a decade.

The Prime Minister continued to point out that universal and competitive access to telecommunications is pivotal to Guyana’s developmental trajectory especially in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.

The Government of Guyana remains ready and willing to work with all stakeholders to ensure that every Guyanese has affordable access to quality and modern services which they so badly deserve, as well as ensuring that the existing operators suffer no disadvantage whatsoever as they continue business in the sector.

Personnel are currently on the ground working on the connections, and GPL expects to see the project completed by the end of the month.

Once it is competed it will help to mitigate blackouts on the East

Coast Demerara corridor.

Ramtahal also stated that preliminary works are beginning for another 30 megawatts of power for the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System.

The third project is a “dual engine for Garden of Eden to 46.5 megawatts.”.

This project is expected to be implemented by the second quarter of 2021.

“By that time, we should be able to be in a better position to manage our reliability of electricity in this country,” Ramtahal said.

The DCEO explained that since his appointment he has uncovered a number of inconsistencies in the company’s previous management.

“I’m there for just two weeks, but I’ve discovered

[that] over the last four to five years, investments to generation was under five per cent, [which is] merely seven megawatts.”

He said that there is a very low generation reserve.

There are not enough “spinning reserves” or spare reserves to ensure that the grid continues operating in the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System when there are problems.

The reserve is intended to allow reliable connections and ensure supply capacity is always above the demand.

When the reserve is too low and power consumption in an area is above normal, bl ackout s or power out ages occur.

GPL to obtain power from Giftland Mall by month end

Giftland Mall

Samaroo Ramtahal, the new Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Strategic Operations at Guyana Power and Light Inc.(GPL), has said that the company will be looking to secure power from the Giftland

Mall, through a Power Purchase Agreement.

GPL has several projects in train to maximise the potential of power generation in both the short and long term. Obtaining power from Giftland is one of three avenues the

company is considering.

GPL is looking to obtain an additional five megawatts of power from the Giftland system which has a 6.7 megawatt output capacity but only uses 1.6 megawatts during prime operations.

21

Hess selling interest in Shenzi field to fund Payara Project U.S. oil company, Hess, has agreed to sell its 28 percent interest in the Shenzi field in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to BHP for $505 million. It proposes to use the money for operations in Guyana.

The Shenzi field is operated by BHP with a 44 percent stake. 28 percent is owned by Hess and the remaining 28 percent is owned by Repsol. The sale to BHP will add around 11,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of production, of which 90 percent is oil.

John Hess, CEO of Hess, said the sale was

BHP President of Petroleum Operations, Geraldine Slattery

aligned with Hess’s strategy to preserve cash “and preserve the longterm value of our assets in the current low oil price environment.”

The proceeds would be used to fund their investment in the Payara development project that was recently approved for Exxon.

BHP President of Petroleum Operations, Geraldine Slattery, said, “This transaction aligns with our plans to enhance our petroleum portfolio by targeted acquisitions in high quality producing deepwater assets and the

continued de-risking of our growth options.

“We are purchasing the stake in Shenzi at an attractive price, it’s a tierone asset with optionality, and key to BHP’s Gulf of Mexico heartland. As the operator, we have more opportunity to grow Shenzi high-margin barrels and value with an increased working interest.”

The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2020 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

A 28-year-old mother of three is killed by her estranged reputed husband

Clarabel Yolanda Johnson

Domestic violence is one of the most common features in Guyanese life. It is only surpassed by child abuse. Another woman, Clarabel Yolanda Johnson, died horribly at the hands of her estranged reputed husband, in Albouystown, Georgetown.

The killer was 45-yearold Nicholas Shawn Williams.

Clarabel Johnson was 28 years old and a mother of three. Alvin Johnson, a brother, was not around but he learnt of the murder.

“I see she and she children father in a talking.

He chop she in the street. I get a call and I went to the

hospital. That was when I know that she dead.”

He said that at the hospital he saw his other relatives in various states of distress. He spoke of the clashes between the two and these have been ongoing.

“The last time when they fight I wasn’t around. I was working in Suriname.”

Yolanda’s Brother A friend of the now dead victim, Candacy Leung, was near to the crime scene.

“Me son was awake.

So when I wake up he seh Aunty Bella went to you. He didn’t open the door. Me phone ring and

I answer it. Was me friend who tell me to come quick to carry Bella at the hospital. She just get chop up.”

In tears she spoke of the friendship she shared with the woman she called Bella.

“We does go and sell on the market. We go from Parika Market to Mon Repos. We always deh hustling.”

She said that there were constant conflicts with the assailant to the extent that the victim moved out to live with her mother. She spoke of the marks of violence her friend bore.

“When I ask she how

Yolanda Johnson Mother he jaw; all over.”

The dead woman’s mother, Patricia Johnson, recalled the events leading up to the killing. She said that she saw her daughter early in the morning. It was a ritual that the now dead Clarabel would awake and greet the household. Sometimes she would return to bed.

“About 6:00 she come in my room and sehe, ‘Morning Mommy.’ I sehe ‘Morning’. I think she gone back in she room because she does normally come out and tell me and she father

Clarabel Yolanda Johnson’s Mother explaining what happen

call about 6:20 ansd sehe that her daughter started ‘Uncle Aunty, look you the relationship with daughter get chop up.

Nicholas Williams from “By the time we coulda the time she was 15, and run out; my husband run going to school. out. I had on my night She too spoke of the dress. I get so confused. constant abuse. She said I looking fuh clothes that her daughter moved and can’t find anything. My clothes deh right in front of me.”

At the hospital, she was told that the doctors were trying to save Clarabel’s life.

Not long after Yolanda Johnson’s Brother explaining she got the news that her back into her home almost you get all them marks? ‘good morning.’ I didn’t daughter had died. The seven years ago. When He give she all them know that she gone out on killing ended a long and she moved back in her last marks. Me friend get a the road. abusive relationship. child, a seven-year-old “Is when somebody long mark cross s Patricia Johnson said was just a baby.

22

Min

COVID-19 Update

October 6

nister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

The Ministry of Health recorded 95 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, October 5. 12 cases were recorded in Region One, four in Region Two, six in Region

Three, 37 in Region Four, one in Region Six, 11 in Region Seven, three in Region Eight, seven in Region Nine and 14 in Region Ten. The total number of cases in Guyana is now at

feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This order will remain in effect until October 31st, 2020.

3,188.

The death toll has risen to 93 with the deaths of a 38-yearold man and an 84-year-old woman, both from Region 4 As of October 5 15,078 persons have

been tested for the virus. 1,972 have recovered leaving the number of active cases at 1,123.

The Ministry continues to remind Guyanese to observe the protocols of

the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO. 9) emphasising the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six

been dismissed for no reason other than their political affiliation. Then there is the political targeting of people attached to the Guyana Elections Commission.

Just today, Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers, was forced to respond to a wanted notice posted by the Criminal Investigations Department.

She chose to remain silent in the presence of her lawyer, Nigel Hughes.

The result is that the police have detained her at the Beterverwagting Police Station Lockups.

The police contend that by her silence she was obstructing justice.

Some of the people were supposed to face private criminal charges. The absence of evidence led to the state intervening and conducting a series of investigations by arresting and detaining people.

A m o n g those arrested outside of the private criminal charges are Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Health Minister Volda Lawrence, and four other

officers employed by questioned by the police. the Guyana Elections None has even been invited by the police.

Certainly, they are facing no private criminal charges.

The one person who faced charges other than the obviously Black elections officers to be hauled before the courts on electoral fraud charges has been Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh.

Commission.

Almost immediately, All of these have appeared in court. Director of Public However, those elections Prosecutions, Shalimar agents who were Ali-Hack, nolle prosequi responsible for missing those charges.

There are other such poll documents from ballot boxes have not been cases

Another GECOM official dragged in by CID

Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers

Charged with government has been obstructing justice by presiding over what some remaining silent people say is rampant The Irfaan Ali persecution. Some have

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