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ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPERS

GPF TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM BRITISH GOVT. AND RSS SOON Pg3

14 PARLIAMENT EMPLOYEES COVID-19 Update TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID -19 September 17 Pg5

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GUYSUCO CEO AND BOARD US SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT CHAIRMAN APPOINTED Pg6 PARAMARIBO Pg5 BEFORE GEORGETOWN, OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN CITIES

APNU/AFC TO FILE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST EDGHILL 1

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Editorial

Mike Pompeo is visiting The visit of United States Secretary of State, Michael ‘Mike’ Pompeo hit Guyana like a meteor. It was sudden and earth shaking. The Secretary is third in line to the United States Presidency.

When he speaks he does so with the authority of the president. No US President has ever visited Guyana although they have come as close by as Trinidad. Readily coming to mind was the visit of Barack Obama in 2009. One former president has visited in the person of Jimmy Carter. Congressmen have visited to the extent that Guyana created history when it became the first country in which a US Congressman, Leo Ryan, was killed. Other Congressmen who came

represented the Black Caucus. No vice president has ever visited Guyana so Pompeo will be he highest ranking United States official to land on these shores. According to the United States embassy, such visits do not take place overnight. Planning with the administration of the host

country and the United States embassy in that country begins months before the visit. There are security concerns, the need to arrange for accommodation and of course, the venues where the meetings will take place. Many Guyanese, including some Cabinet members were unaware of the visit. If he is to be believed, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and Minister of Works Juan Edghill knew nothing of the visit.

To think that the government has been in office for just over a month and plans are in place for a visit by the Secretary of Stare speaks volumes. The Guyana Government was dictated to. So much for the independence of the government and Guyana’s sovereignty. We shift from Guyana to the United States. Elections in that country would be held on November 3. For all it is worth the country’s most high

profile president and perhaps its most controversial is expected to be voted out of office. The polls place his rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, ahead by double digits. There was a slight narrowing after the Republican National Convention but whatever gains there were have dissipated. The United States has an interesting

history. Whenever it has problems it starts a war or it attacks some foreign country that it knows it could roll over. There was Grenada in 1983; the raid and arrest of Panama’s President Manuel Noriega in 1989; the attack on Iraq, once to liberate Kuwait and the other because Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and even the war in Vietnam. In each case the war effort benefitted the United States economy and the re-election of the President. Reports of successes boosted the image of the president. F a i l u r e often sank his chances as was the case of Jimmy Carter when he ordered a raid in Iran to free some hostages. That raid failed and Carter was ousted in the next elections after serving one term. The Vietnam War, when the death toll of the Americans mounted, so too did pressure on the president. That war spanned five presidents. It even caused one, Lyndon Johnson, not to seek re-election to the White House. Now there is

Venezuela, Guyana’s southern neighbour and once an oil-rich country. Its President, Nicolas Maduro, is not liked by the United States administration. Instead, the United States is leading many countries in supporting the Opposition Leader Juan Guaido. The new Guyana Government is one of them. From the time of its independence Guyana has always preached and practised the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of another country. It became a member of the Non-aligned Movement— demonstrating that it was neither aligned to the East or the West (The United States of the Soviet Union) But within days of coming to office the Irfaan Ali government announced that it was anti-Maduro, something that shocked the entire country. The visit by Pompeo is being seen in this light. He was the man when the Granger administration remained in office pending a declaration of the March 2 elections, who ordered visa revocations against people who supported Granger. Granger had denied Pompeo’s approach to have the Voice of

America broadcast into Venezuela from Guyana shores. Donald Trump seems destined to lose the elections unless something dramatic happens. The attack on Venezuela could be that dramatic thing. An attack on Venezuela would not be far-fetched. Such an attack could be staged from Guyana because of its border with Venezuela. Trinidad is not being contemplated, neither is Suriname. Any such attack would leave a vulnerable Guyana to almost total destruction. I anticipate attacks on the power stations, on the sea defence and on other infrastructure. There would be no power, no communication and of course, the kind of destruction that would make the internal violence that this country experienced, pale into insignificance. Is the government contemplating committing this country without the support of the people? Even in the face of any commitment, there are hundreds of Venezuelans now living in Guyana. Will they support Guyana? However, by his visit many do not believe that Pompeo would leave emptyhanded.

GPF TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM BRITISH GOVT. AND RSS SOON

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Government and the RSS to support the GPF in their investigation of these murders. “To support the work of the Police, we have already activated a mechanism to have regional help from the RSS and the British Government. We are hopeful that in another eight or nine days that help can be here to support and complement what the

Isaiah and Joel Henry

and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The Police had arrested seven persons in connection with the case; They have since been released from custody following the end of the 72-hour holding period. The Police Force has been working tirelessly in their investigations and the President was confident that the

support from the international bodies will lead to “that justice we all so badly want.” President Ali also said he remains deeply disturbed over the events of the past week and plans to launch an international Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the riots on the West Coast Berbice. “The COI is important

because it was not only the murders but what took place after. So our immediate task is to get the investigation concluded then, as I said, we’re exploring an international COI.” He then called on the nation to reflect on this period in prayer and hoped that it would strengthen us as a people and strengthen our resolve for unity and for peace.

making arrangements for those workers who are positive. “The Clerk has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the staff are provided with supplements and the necessary protocols.”, Nadir said. Over100Parliament employees were swabbed following Arthur Chung Conference Centre the revelation that Speaker of the of Wednesday’s sitting the Parliament Office Clerk of the National Opposition Member Parliament, National Assembly of the 12th Parliament have tested positive Assembly, Sherlock of Issacs, is currently announced at the start that 14 employees of for COVID-19.

Christopher Jones, had tested positive for COVID-19 before attending the swearing-in ceremony of Parliamentarians on September 1. Nadir and Isaacs were the first to be swabbed after coming into contact with Jones. Isaacs tested negative while Nadir received a positive result and is currently presiding over the sittings virtually.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) can expect to receive aid from the British Government and the Regional Security System (RSS) within the next week to help resolve the brutal murders of teenage cousins, Isaiah and Joel Henry. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said the Government has engaged the British

Police is doing,” The teenagers were discovered dead in the Cotton Tree backdam, West Coast Berbice on September 6. Their deaths sparked numerous protests in the Berbice area, some of which devolved into riots and robbery of citizens in the area. The President stressed the importance of solving the murders

14 PARLIAMENT EMPLOYEES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID -19

Prisoners to be tested for COVID-19

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, has said that provisions are being made for inmates to be tested following the confirmation of two positive COVID-19 cases in the Lusignan Prison.

A press release issued last evening confirmed that two prisoners from the Holding Bay at Lusignan have tested positive for COVID-19 despite taking the necessary precautions.

“The circumstances under which the two prisoners contracted the virus are presently unknown, and contact tracing has begun. All steps are being taken to segregate persons with whom they came into contact.

Resources are being gathered to prevent further spread.”, said Samuels. Samuels said that the Guyana Prison Service doctors will begin training to administer COVID-19 tests

to the inmates effectively. He added that prisoners and staff will be monitored and the steps which were previously taken to prevent the spread of the virus will be revisited and expanded.

It was noted in the statement that all persons who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 will be examined and undergo the standard operating procedures outlined by the Ministry of Health.

Commentary

Internal strife making Guyana a continuing regional problem (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) By Sir Ronald Sanders

Once again, Guyana is causing regional and international worry following two sets of killings of young men (two of African origin and two of Indian origin) that have sparked the flames of communal violence and threaten to engulf the country. The facts of these killings are yet unknown and unestablished. As this commentary is being written, the Police are still in the process of investigating the crimes. What should be a period of national support to find the perpetrators and deliver justice, has been misused to promote violence and civil disturbance. Justice for the four persons who have been killed is necessary, but justice is not about assuming facts, acting lawlessly and exploiting emotional sentiment to further the ambitions of a few politicians. Following the first killings of the African-Guyanese teenagers, Isaiah and Joel Henry, supporters of the opposition, APNU-AFC, blocked main highways and confronted Police. Hooligans took advantage of the protests to commit atrocities which included beatings. The following day, two Indo-Guyanese

were killed – one of them a 17-year old, Hareshi Singh, and the other Prettipaul Hargobon who was beaten to death by a crowd. C o m m e n d a b l y, Volda Lawrence, the Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the main party in the opposition APNU, made a public statement, saying: “I am calling on every single member of the People’s National Congress Reform, irrespective of your status, I am saying that we cannot continue. This carnage must stop.” Similar strong statements from the Opposition leader in Parliament, Mr Joseph Harmon, and former President David Granger, would be the responsible thing for them to do. Guyanese, who lived through Guyana’s destructive and haunting racial violence between 1962 and 1964, worry that a similar disaster is being promoted, which could not be controlled or stopped without foreign military intervention. In the 1962-64 period, Guyana was a British Colony and British troops intervened. Nonetheless, the considerable loss of life and property wounded the country and scarred the society.

Addressing the present situation, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, assured the Guyanese people that his government “will work to bring justice to every single person who has been affected in these circumstances”. He announced that he would be approaching the British Government and the Caribbean Regional Security System for help in investigating the killings. He should include a forensic investigator in his request. An external qualified investigator would help to give confidence to the thoroughness of investigations. President Ali also said that he is “exploring the commissioning of an International Commission of Inquiry to look at every aspect of this situation”. However, he should also consider how, as a nation, Guyana will, internally, address the racial issue that has been exploited for so long. International Commissions might be helpful, but as in South Africa and Northern Ireland, it is in Guyana that solutions to communal strife must be found. In this, he should follow the lead of a remarkable Guyanese

– Mr. Gladstone Henry, the father of one of the murdered boys. Mr. Henry has publicly declared, “I am not supporting immoral protesting. As a family we want justice (but) we as a nation cannot be fighting each other”. Therefore, consideration might be given to the creation of a “One Guyana Commission”, to explore practical steps that can be taken to cement Guyana’s one society. The work of the Commission should be countrywide, listening to the free contention of all voices, concerning ways in which every Guyanese can honour the strands of their ancestral heritage while celebrating their uniquely blended Guyanese civilization, with equal opportunities for all. An observation made by Joshua Hyles in his book, ‘Guiana and the Shadows of Empire’ is compelling: “Country studies of Guyana point out that the country’s disparate ethnic groups have come to resemble one another culturally and physically more than those of their (racial) countries of origin”. In other words, what Hyles is saying is that a person of Indian or African origin

living in Guyana often exhibits more cultural and physical similarities to a person of Indian or African origin in Guyana than another Indian or African abroad. This is a truism for any Guyanese of Indian or African origin who has travelled to India or Africa. Those, who have visited the lands of their ancestors, recognize that their visceral homeland is Guyana. The challenges of language of tribe, of cast, of culture set aside Guyanese, except Amerindians, from the distant lands of their ancestors. Guyanese – of all races – have resided together for almost two centuries. In doing so, a Guyanese civilization has been woven from strands that originated in other lands – in India, Africa, Europe, China and in Guyana itself. What has been created is a unique blend that is Guyanese. Together, the two main groups in Guyana – people whose ancestors came from Africa and India – are a formidable force. The British colonizers and plantation owners knew that very well, which is why they employed the strategy of divide and rule; a strategy continued by self-serving local

politicians. In the words of Lord Varys in the television series, Game of Thrones: “He would see this country burn if he could be King of the ashes.” Guyanese should free themselves from the ‘race’ trap if they are to avoid despoiling their country and robbing themselves of the very high quality of life that their recent oil and gas production offers. In the past, violence in Guyana has led to refugees, migration, and instability in the region. Neither the countries of the Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (CARICOM) nor the nations of the Americas would sit-by and watch Guyana descend into civil strife and violence now. Such a development would have consequences for them, and they will undoubtedly act if circumstances demand it. For the time being neighbouring states will keep a watchful eye, hoping that good sense will prevail among all the politicians in Guyana to calm emotions and maintain stability. Guyana must become part of the solution to the region’s challenges, not continually be part of its problems.

US SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT PARAMARIBO BEFORE GEORGETOWN, OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN CITIES

US Secretary of State to visit Paramaribo before Georgetown, other South American cities Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will be traveling to Paramaribo, Suriname; Georgetown, Guyana; Boa Vista, Brazil; Bogota, Colombia; and Plano, Texas from September 17 to September 20, 2020.  These series of international visits are intended to highlight the United States’

commitment to defend democracy, combat COVID-19 while revitalizing economies in the pandemic’s wake, and strengthen security against regional threats. In Paramaribo, Secretary Pompeo will meet with newly elected Surinamese President Chan Santokhi and his cabinet to discuss increased bilateral cooperation and opportunities for partnerships in energy and

COVID-19 Update September 17

security. In Georgetown, Secretary Pompeo will meet with newly elected president Irfaan Ali and his cabinet, and meet with CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Irwin LaRocque. He intends to reinforce the promise of a valuesbased U.S. partnership and highlight opportunities for more responsible and transparent private sector investment which can increase prosperity for the people of Guyana,

particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Boa Vista, Secretary Pompeo will visit Venezuelan migrants fleeing the manmade disaster in Venezuela and underscore the importance of U.S. and Brazilian support for the Venezuelan people. Secretary Pompeo will meet with Colombian President Ivan Duque in Bogota to discuss their countries’ partnerships in managing the COVID-19 response, promoting mutual prosperity, and tackling the threats to regional security from narcotraffickers, terror groups, and Maduro’s illegitimate regime. Secretary Pompeo will finally return to the United States to discuss Department of State priorities at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

The Ministry of Health recorded 26 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday September 16. One case was recorded in Region Two, five cases in Region Three, 15 in Region Four, two in Region Six, one in Region Seven and two in Region Eight. This brings the total number of recorded cases in Guyana to 1,984. The death toll has risen to 60 with the deaths of an 80-yearold woman and a 63-year-old woman on Wednesday, both from Region One. The Ministry

has contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed to the now-dead persons. The Ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and their family and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace. As of September 16 11,359 persons have been tested for the virus and 1,302 recovered. The number of active cases in the country now stands at 622.

political interference and in fact confirms that Edghill is the intellectual author of Ms. WaltonDesir’s termination.” The coalition also described it as a vicious political attack against another professional woman in which he slandered her and reflected the “height of authoritarianism.” The APNU/ AFC plans to lodge complaints with the Guyana Public Service Union, the International Labour Organization, A m n e s t y International, United Nations, International Civil Aviation Organization and other international agencies. “Edghill acted way

beyond the parameters He noted from her of acceptable personnel file that conduct, indulged there were “always in misconduct in issues about her public office and absence from work, will suffer the legal tardiness as it relates consequences for to her functions, his abhorrent and not providing nauseating actions in reports, going on maligning Ms. Walton-Desir, who has 17 years’ experience as a practicing attorney.”, the coalition said in a statement. Minister Edghill claimed that there was no Ms. Walton-Desir evidence of Ms. travels Desir being at work oversees since the March 2 and not providing elections and July any report on her 31 of this year. “To return from those be off the job for travels.” Desir also months without leave had disagreements being approved in with the GCAA over itself is voluntary salary and clauses of contracts. He also termination.”

added that her contract had been increased from three years to five years, which was beyond the time the GCAA could approve without reason or a Board decision. Edghill responded to the APNU/AFC release saying that Walton-Desir was not a public servant and he had no power to remove her. Desir’s termination was not a result of a political witch hunt but instead the ending of her contract by the GCAA. He added that he only disclosed the grounds of her termination and disseminated information to the public which was his duty as the subject Minister of the Authority.

APNU/AFC TO FILE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST EDGHILL

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has accused Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, of misconducting himself in public office by disclosing the contents of a human resource personnel file of Ms. Amanza WaltonDesir. Walton Desir was recently dismissed from the Guyana Civil

Aviation Authority (GCAA). In response to Wa t o n - D e s i r ’ s dismissal, Edghill disclosed scanned copies of internal correspondence between the former GCAA General Counsel and management to provide evidence for her dismissal. The APNU/AFC coalition has said that Edghill’s actions are “tantamount to

GUYSUCO CEO AND BOARD CHAIRMAN APPOINTED

Sasenarine Singh,

Minister of Agricuture, Zulfikar Mustapha issued a statement announcing the appointment of Financial Analyst, Sasenarine Singh, as Chief Executive Officer (ag) of

the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The appointment is effective from September 14, 2020. Singh holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from

Lancaster University, an Executive Post Graduate Diploma from London Business School, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from the University of Guyana. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACCA). Singh is a Project Finance Specialist with over 16 years’ experience at turnaround management internationally and possesses tremendous leadership experience at building capacity in teams. Singh will lead

the Conditional and Dr. N. K. Gopaul Survey ahead of the – East Demerara reopening of the Estates (Enmore). shuttered Enmore,

Rosehall, and Albion Estates and will be supported by Mr. Vishnu Panday – Skeldon, Mr. Aaron Dukhia – Rose Hall,

Additionally, Chief Executive Officer of Demerara Bank, Pravainchandra Dave, has been named

Chairman of the Board of Directors of GuySuCo for one year. Anthony Vieira will serve as ViceChairman along with Ramesh Persaud, Tarachand Balgobin, Ray Hanoman, Shamira Evans, Shaleeza Shaw, Mohamed Rafeek and Desmond Sears. Paul Cheong, who was recently appointed Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), is named as an ex-officio member of the Board.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT GUYANA

United States Secretary of State, Michael ‘Mike’ Pompeo

The United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, is expected to visit Guyana for two days later this week. Pompeo is expected to arrive

in Georgetown on September 17, 2020 and will be departing on the following day, The Secretary of State will be the highest-ranking US official to visit the

country. Pompeo will be meeting and holding talks with President Irfaan Ali, Foreign Minister, Hugh Todd, and the CARICOM Secretary-General,

Irwin LaRocque. It is expected that the Secretary of State will be signing several agreements with President Irfaan Ali. Other CARICOM and Government officials are likely to meet with Pompeo as well. A United States Government team arrived in Guyana yesterday to begin preparations for Pompeo’s visit. This visit comes just over a month after

Guyana’s five-month wait for election results. During that time Pompeo had issued sanctions against officials of the last government. It is believed that some visas were revoked. The Secretary of State had previously

congratulated President Ali on his electoral victory and said that the “United States looks forward to working with Guyana to advance shared values, economic prosperity, and security in the region.”

Brazil to help clear COVID-19 test backlog

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said in a statement on Wednesday that they will soon begin sending COVID-19 test samples to Brazil for processing. “We have been exploring with the Government of Brazil, and in particular the State of Roraima to be able to send our samples from Region 9, across to Brazil for them to

process them for us.” Dr. Anthony explained that the government hopes to finalise these arrangements in a meeting with the Brazilian authorities today. This is aimed at clearing the current backlog of COVID-19 tests that have accumulated. The rate of testing across the country has increased but there has not been as much of an increase in processing time. Several measures to facilitate testing of the increased number of samples have been explored and implemented by the government.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Trinidad and Tobago, has been providing assistance and has returned over 400 of 500 samples sent there for testing. An additional 138 samples were sent to CARPHA on

Monday. The Minister highlighted that any health facility can be a site to collect samples for COVID-19 and that the regional and district hospitals across the country are able to offer the test, as test kits have been

made available to the facilities. In addition, to regional and district hospitals, the Minister said that they have identified other sites for COVID-19 sample collection in Region 4: Paradise on the East Coast of

Demerara, Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara and the Georgetown Public Hospital. As of September 10 Guyana has recorded 1,750 cases of COVID-19 with a death toll of 51.

Govt. to begin use of antiviral drug on COVID-19 patients one of the things that we have seen is it has been able to shorten the severity of the disease. People who have benefitted from this treatment, many of them have been able to recover. Hopefully, we can get the same results here in Guyana.” Remdesivir is an antiviral drug Minister of Health, medical professionals Remdesivir, on “As we know, with which limits the Dr. Frank Anthony, will begin using critical patients. the use of Remdesivir replication of viruses. said on Friday that the antiviral drug, The Minister said, in the United States, A federal study has

found that it can hasten the recovery in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. A report based on data collected from 53 patients who received Remdesivir in the United States, from January 25, 2020, to March 7, 2020 showed clinical improvement in 36 (68%).

ExxonMobil Announces Redtail Discovery Offshore Guyana

ExxonMobil Oil Rig

ExxonMobil has made its 18th discovery offshore Guyana at the Redtail-1 well which will add to the previously announced estimated recoverable resource of more than 8 billion oilequivalent barrels on the Stabroek Block. “Our Stabroek Block exploration programme continues to identify highquality reservoirs in

close proximity to previous discoveries, establishing efficient opportunities for new projects in Guyana,” said Mike Cousins, senior vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil. “Developing these projects remains an integral part of ExxonMobil and our co-venturers’ longterm growth plans and a source of significant

value for Guyana.” R e d t a i l - 1 encountered approximately 232 feet (70 meters) of high-quality oil bearing sandstone and was drilled in 6,164 feet (1,878 meters) of water. The well is located approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) northwest of the Yellowtail discovery. In addition to the Redtail-1 discovery,

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drilling at Yellowtail-2 encountered 69 feet (21 meters) of net pay in newly identified, high quality oil bearing reservoirs among the original Yellowtail-1 discovery intervals. This resource is currently being evaluated for development in conjunction with nearby discoveries. Approximately 80 Guyanese employees, contractors and subcontractors took part in Redtail activities offshore, and more than 2,000 Guyanese and 600 local suppliers are supporting E x x o n M o b i l ’s activities in country. Guyanese staff have completed more

than 350,000 hours of training in Guyana, Brazil, Canada, Singapore and the United States. ExxonMobil made the first commercial discovery in Guyana in 2015 and started production in December 2019 from the Liza Destiny floating production and offloading vessel (FPSO), which can produce up to 120,000 barrels per day. ExxonMobil continues to advance the Liza Phase 2 project, which is expected to startup in 2022 and produce up to 220,000 barrels per day. Construction activities are underway in Singapore on the

Liza Unity FPSO. A third production vessel for the Payara development, with production capacity of 220,000 barrels a day, is on hold pending government approval. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block.. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a whollyowned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 percent interest

12 COVID deaths recorded in 10 days

The Ministry of Health has recorded 47 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday September 10. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now at 1,750. Three more deaths were recorded on Thursday. The first was 65-year-old Alfred Gonsalves, of Sophia, Greater

Georgetown. The other two were recorded later; 32-year-old Paul Lowe of Providence, East Bank Demerara and 66-year-old Monyra Moses of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. This brings the death toll to 51. There have been 12 deaths recorded over the last 10 days.

A total of 10,459 persons have been tested for the virus as of September 10 and 1,088 have recovered. This leaves the number of active cases at 611. There are 547 persons in home isolation, 50 in institutional isolation and 14 in the COVID-19 ICU.

The protests seem to have HALTED

The credited Volda Lawrence

The protests along the West Berbice corridor have been halted. Chairperson of the People’s National Congress, Volda Lawrence, is being credited with bringing the situation to a halt. The protests were sparked by the brutal murders of teenage cousins, Joel and Isaiah Henry. Their bodies were found on a farm

aback of Cotton Tree, West Berbice. The protests started at Number Three village and spread along the coast to villages like Cane Grove, Mahaicony, and Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, and even New Amsterdam and Fyrish across the Berbice River. There were also protests at Square of the Revolution.

Today, Ms. Lawrence explained her role in the cessation of the protests. She said that she had been on West Berbice for two days. “As we go along the roadway there were several places where persons placed things in the centre of the road. You had to identify yourself to pass and many other things I saw along the way that was not right,” Ms. Lawrence said. Even before that, the police and the army were forced to clear the blocked roads. As fast as they removed the debris from the road surface the [people simply replaced obstacles

that made formidable barriers. S h e b e c a m e nationalistic. She said that this is “our country” and “we are all Guyanese.” “We have been living together proudly, six races living together. All of us calling each other uncle, and auntie and cousin and things like that. Why would we want to go to those lengths where we stop commerce, where we have people scared, people can’t get to work, and all of the mother things that have happened? “Why do we want

to express our grief in that way by hurting each other? We were hurt because two young men were hurt. Why must we perpetuate that hurt by doing all sorts of things to each other?” She said that as a human being and as a Guyanese she did not want to see Guyanese live like that. She said

that Guyanese can solve their differences, differently. “I want the demonstrations to continue but we don’t have to hurt each other to show our grief and call for justice,” Ms. Lawrence said. Ms. Lawrence said that she is happy that people responded to her call one way or another.

Not Wearing Face-masks Can Result In Fines, Prison Time

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said that persons found failing to wear facemasks in public are now liable to fines and can face time in prison. In the COVID-19 measures published on August 14, it states that persons failing to follow the orders will be liable to

punishment. According to Paragraph 17 of the order, any person who fails to comply with the order commits an offence under the Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that section.

Section 152 of Public Health Ordinance states that “any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the Ordinance made by the government, or who fails, neglects or refuses to execute any work or to do anything which he is required to do by virtue of any of the provisions of the ordinance shall be guilty of an offence and shall, unless some other penalty is provided therefore, (be) liable to a penalty with or without hard labour for any term exceeding two months.” The Minister noted that it is not the

government’s wish for persons to be imprisoned for not wearing facemasks but he implores citizens to follow the guidelines that are put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, addressed concerns over the Public Health Ordinance which was passed in 1934. He admitted that there is a need for penalties regarding violation of C o v i d - 1 9 guidelines but there have been discussions within the Ministry to deliver suitable punishments.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

“The legislation is very, very old, a relic from colonial times and one that unfortunately was never updated.” Nandlall said

that the Ministry of Health currently has a proposal for a new Public Health Bill which will be reviewed when Parliament resumes.

Letters

Govt signals a lack of confidence in local police Dear Editor,

This letter, in no way seeks to question the good intentions of the President, when he announced that his Government will be seeking the help of UK experts to help solve the heinous murder of the young men in West Coast Berbice, that occurred in the Cotton Tree – No.4 areas. There are some worrisome aspects of this proposal. First, it displays a lack of confidence of our Guyanese law enforcement

and crime-cracking personnel, fifty-four years after becoming independent and fifty years after being a Republic. We have available competent Police Officers, present and some retired, who given a free-hand and none interference, are capable of doing a good job. This expression of ‘no confidence’ in our Police Force is not good at a time when there is an environment of distrust in sections of our security forces and sections of the

judiciary. Such an initiative reminds us of the time when efforts were made to impose a foreign Police Officer in a command position of the Police Force. What I would like to hear from the President, is a sincere undertaking that no one in the administration would be allowed in any way to interfere with the investigations. We’ve had experience, in an earlier era, when citizens lost confidence in certain

sections of the Police Force to act professionally. Second, if the request of overseas help is granted, how long will it take for the personnel and their accoutrements to arrive in Guyana? Further, I know of instances where overseas experts experienced difficulty even understanding our local dialect. Next, has the murder scene and contiguous areas been completely sealed off? Necessary, whether true or false, there is

the perception that this may be a race – politically inspired hate crime. I have lived through the worse days of the 60s and urge if we really want Peace, let the good, competent and professional Police Officers be allowed to complete their investigations without anyone compromising the evidence and scientific data. In an earlier letter, I reminded Guyanese that peaceful protest is lawful and has been part of democracies everywhere.

Finally, may I remind the powers that be, how inappropriate it is, if not foolish, to have our Army used to deal with peaceful protest. Our military can better serve this nation if their energies are utilized to protect our east, west, north and south borders, what with Covid-19, not being the only threat to our sovereignty and integrity. Hamilton Green

Has The Crime Chief has taken over the private criminal charges brought by PPP surrogates Dear Editor,

The installation of the PPP/C in Government has seen a flurry of activities post haste, not least among them the reassignment of Police Officers. It has also seen actions being undertaken by the Police Force that brings into question the professionalism of the Force and the motives behind some of the Force`s actions. As Commissioners of the Guyana Election Commission, we see the actions being taken against GECOM employees and more particularly, the demands being made on GECOM as reeking of ulterior motives; targeting of GECOM employees; and disregarding the Rule of Law. We are also concerned that these occurrences

are following on from political pronouncements. The Chairperson of GECOM has been written to, by the Crime Chief, as follows: “ I do hereby write with reference to the above caption matter to inform you that upon receipt of formal reports together with the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the exercise of her constitutional powers under Article 187 of the Constitution of Guyana, the Guyana Police Force has initiated criminal investigations against Keith Lowenfield, Clairmont Mingo and others who are alleged to have been criminally responsible for the post 2nd March 2020 Regional and General Elections incidents.”

Our concerns are many-folds: Is the Crime Chief following up on the private criminal charges or is he responding to quite distinct allegations? If he is following up on private criminal charges, how is that possible since those who initially made the allegations have done so without presenting an iota of evidence to support those charges? That would be tantamount to abuse of the justice system and the perpetration of injustice against Lowenfield et al. Private criminal charges are premised on the presentation of evidence by those bringing the charges. If they are not following up on the private criminal charges how does the DPP come into the

picture without first receiving a file from the Police, requesting advice on a matter on which investigation has already been undertaken? The reference to “the post 2nd March, 2020 Regional and General Elections incidents” has no specificity. Is the Crime Chief referencing the riotous behavior at the Ashmin Building or the accusation of assault leveled at the current Minister of Home Affairs or the attack on the Police in Region 5? How does the Crime Chief request information from GECOM, which is clearly protected from such requests? Section 102 (2) enacts that “the Chief Election Officer shall keep all parcels received in pursuance of subsection (1)

in safe custody and, subject to the provisions of this Act and any law made under article 163 of the Constitution, allow no person to have access hereto.” The said material being requested is that which was “received in pursuance of subsection (1)”. Section 140 (2) also specifies that “no evidence of any deliberation of the Elections Commission regarding its business shall be admissible in any court.” Reference to “and others” in the Crime Chief`s assertion seems to suggest that the others are any persons who the Police may wish to so treat. That sets the scene for possible arbitrary action, by the Police.

Isn’t it the jurisdiction of the High Court, arising out of the hearing a Petition, to determine if fraud was committed, during the course of an election? Is an attempt being made here to preempt a petition and to otherwise tie-up the documents which are required for the hearing of a petition? We bring these matters to the attention of the people, the final arbiters of democracy, whose freedom can be threatened if the Police is allowed to act capriciously and flout the Rule of Law. Yours truly, Commissioners: Alexander, Corbin; and Trotman

HOROSCOPE

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Today you feel good about yourself! (Even your health seems to be more vigorous today.) Enjoy working with groups because whatever you do today will make a great impression on bosses, parents, teachers and VIPs. People admire you!

You have a warm feeling in your tummy today because life feels good even though you want to be low-key or maybe “hide” in the wings. You’re not being antisocial; you just prefer to work alone or do things by yourself. Nevertheless, Mercury in your sign will encourage chitchat with someone.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

This is a playful, fun-loving day! Accept invitations to party. Enjoy the arts, sports events, fun activities with kids plus any kind of social outing that is pleasant and enjoyable. You might make plans for future vacations, especially in another country.

This is a good day to enjoy the company of close friend, probably a female. You might be more involved than usual with a class or a group or an organization because any kind of group activity will be positive experience for you today. Good day to think about future goals.

This is a pleasant day to cocoon at home or hang out with family. You can enjoy your own solitude or enjoy the company of friends and family. Your choice. Possibly, someone will do you a favour or give you a gift? (Something good is coming your way.)

You are high viz. today, which is a good thing because people see you as positive, confident and even affluent (whether you are or not). Since appearances are everything — you can take this to the bank! Enjoy making a great impression on the boss.

You’ll love schmoozing with others, especially relatives, siblings and neighbours. You might have some news to share, or in turn, you want to hear what others have to say. Any gathering will be a rich source of news and juicy gossip! (My lips are sealed.)

Both the Sun and the Moon are in a part of your chart that makes you want to travel or do something different. You want change and adventure! You need to get out of your rut, even if it’s a velvet rut. Enjoy talking to people who are different. Explore chances to learn something new!

This is good money day! Look for ways to boost your income or make a little money on the side. Financial negotiations will likely favour you. Meanwhile, if you are shopping, you might be interested in big-ticket items because your prepared to spend big.

Discussions with others will benefit you today because if you need to decide how to share something, you’ll be favoured. This is a good day to ask for a loan or mortgage. Keep your pockets open because people might give you money, gifts in addition to favours.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You will enjoy helping a close friend today. Possibly, the situation is reversed and someone is helping you? Either way, interaction with close friends and partners will be enjoyable and they will be mutually beneficial.

This is a feel-good day! Both the Sun and the Moon are in your sign; furthermore, the Moon is dancing with lucky Jupiter! Yes, everything is coming up roses because you will attract happy, positive people to you. You will also be concerned about the welfare of others.

Amerindian Recipe Cassava Farine Ingredients: • •

2lbs cassava, grated finely 2tsp salt

Method: 1. Peel and grate the cassava. 2. Place in a cloth and squeeze out the water. 3. Rub between your hands to make fine crumbs. Add the salt and mix. 4. Spread a cloth and place the cassava to dry in the hot sun for at least 3 hours. 5. Parch over a low fire stirring continuously until golden. Allow to cool. 6. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place.

Farine White Pudding Ingredients:

2 lb farine • 3 coconuts, grated • 5 pt water to make coconut milk • 8 oz salt beef • 4 tbsp chopped thyme • 2 tbsp chopped eschalot • 2 tbsp chopped celery • 4 yards runners (cow or pig offal) • 2 tbsp oil

Method:

1. Make coconut milk with the grated coconut and water. Soak farine in 2 pints of the coconut milk. Allow to swell. 2. Cut salt beef in small pieces and fry with thyme, eschalot, celery and salt to taste. 3. Add meat to farine. 4. Fill runners with mixture using a funnel. Tie ends and boil in the remaining 3 pints of coconut milk. Boil for about 10 minutes. 5. Prick for air to escape. 6. Cool and brush with oil. Slice into desired size. Note: For white pudding only coconut milk is used, no blood is added. You can also make farine fish fritters, farine black cake, farine coconut rock buns, just to name a few. 12

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