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MS VOLDA LAWRENCE DESCRIBES THE PROSECUTION ACTION AS TIMEWASTING Pg3

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MINGO HEARS PRIVATE Brazil to help clear CRIMINAL CHARGE FOR COVID-19 test backlog Pg7 THE FIRST TIME Pg3

12 COVID deaths recorded in 10 days 1

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Editorial

The makings of a one-party state There was a time when people spoke about a one-party state. Russia was one; Cuba was another. Of course those countries had opposition parties but these were relegated to the role of an enemy.

In Venezuela today, there is a democratically elected government but other global democracies suddenly want to see the opposition pitchforked into the seat of government.

There is no care for the views of the vast majority of people.

Guyana, must be heading toward a one-party state. The trend is that anyone who supports the opposition party must be terminated from his source of employment. Within the one month since the People’s Progressive Party ended up in the seat of Government, scores of people have been terminated.

One could understand the Regional Executive Officers being changed. These were considered political appointments. The new party therefore wanted its own

people in place. But there have been other cases where the new government decided to terminate the services of skilled people who were assigned positions in the various agencies and departments.

Vincent Adams headed the Environmental Protection Agency.

There is no one better qualified in this country but Irfaan Ali ordered him removed.

When asked for a reason, Irfaan Ali hinted that Adams was a member of the Alliance For Change.

Dr. Richard Van West Charles headed Guyana Water Inc. Although his contract has more than a year before it expires the government decided that he should proceed on leave.

That is alright except that the government has appointed his replacement. The end result is that GWI now has two Chief Executive Officers.

Earlier this week, the Civil Aviation Authority became the next place to be visited by the government broom. Legal officer, Amanza WaltonDesir was terminated.

The only reason had

to be the fact that she is publicly associated with the Coalition.

Not a day has gone by without there being mass firings.

And as if to slap the nation in the face, the government appoints its own people, many of whom are tainted characters. The Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Ministry was once an employee of Republic Bank.

Reports are that he was fired for irregularities.

His appointment is a form of payback for a favour by way of a mortgage he granted a very senior government official while he was still at Republic Bank.

The head of Maritime Administration is benefiting from his wife’s contribution to the PPP during the legal battles over the elections.

Even the Guyana Police Force has not been exempt from the political manipulation.

The Crime Chief is hunting political opponents of the PPP. A compilation of all those dismissed would make for interesting reading.

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MS VOLDA LAWRENCE DESCRIBES THE PROSECUTION ACTION AS TIMEWASTING

Chairperson of the People’s National Congress ad former Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

Chairperson of the People’s National Congress ad former Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence; Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, were back in court today.

Lawyer for Lowenfield, Senior Counsel Neil Boston, said that the matter has been further postponed. He said that lawyer for the prosecution Glenn Hanoman sought the

postponement.

Hanoman has asked the court to postpone the matter for a further month.

Boston explained, “He wants the matter put down for one month to give him a further opportunity to file further statements.

“We have suggested to the court that we can’t go on like this indefinitely. If this is going to be the conduct, discharge Lowenfield.

“We have agreed that a startup date for trial would be October 26, in relation to

Morian charges, and October 27, in relation to the charge brought

by Kanhai.”

Desmond Morian, of the People’s Progressive Party; and Josh Kanhai of The New Movement, a nascent political party have been named as bringing electoral fraud charges against Lowenfield.

Senior Counsel Boston said that the prosecution has until October 9, to file the further disclosure statements to the court.

The defence would

then have a further 17 days to reply.

Asked about the delay in the start of the trial, Senior Counsel Boston said that in his view the prosecution does not have the evidence to proceed with the trial.

“I think as of today they do not have the evidence to establish the charges that were filed against Lowenfield.

Hanoman said, today, that he has 110 statements that he would be filing today.

“If he files 110 statements today and he filed about 20 statements before; if you put 130 statements and you can’t establish a prima facie case against the accused then it is a time-wasting exercise.”

The charges

cannot be dismissed in the magistrates’ court because they have been instituted indictably.

“We can ask for these charges to be discharged and that is what I invited the court to do. If they are ready down the road and they think they have the evidence, they can activate.”

Ms Volda Lawrence who was also in court said that the exercise is a waste of taxpayers’ money and her time.

“The prosecutors are not ready. They claim they have several pieces of evidence which they

have to put together so we have been asked to come back on November 16. My lawyer has argued that they set a longer date so that the prosecutor would have the time to gather all of the evidence.

“When we come back he should be in a position to present those pieces of evidence to the court so we can move on with this matter,” she said.

At issue is that Ms Lawrence presented Mr Mingo with a document.

MINGO HEARS PRIVATE CRIMINAL CHARGE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Mr. Clairmont Mingo

For the first time Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo heard the charge to commit electoral fraud. He had been charged with Ms Volda Lawrence.

Neither was served but they both

appeared in court after hearing of the charge.

Ms Lawrence was released on $100,000 bail. The police then arrested Mingo at his home and refused to release him despite two habeas corpus applications. In the

end they marched him before the court on charges brought by the police acting on the instructions of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He was later released on $600,000 bail.

Representing him today was attorney at law Darren Wade. Wade said that the charge read that he conspired to commit a fraud.

Today he was ordered to return to court on November 16.

“The prosecution

is not in a state of readiness to pursue with a trial so they were given a lengthy date to get their house in order,” Mr Wade said.

Asked about the prolonged delay in getting the trial underway, Wade said that the constitution is clear. It states that everyone must have a trial within a reasonable time.

“It is a protracted delay. I believe that if a private citizen is bringing a matter against someone

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he must have his evidence.

“He cannot come now to ask the court for time to do investigation.

His investigation should have been done before he brought the private criminal charge. Now they are hoping for the Director of Public Prosecutions to assist them,” Wade said.

He added, “You are hoping for the DPP to gather the evidence for a private citizen who would have brought a charge.”

He said that

Magistrate Faith McGusty would have underscored the importance of the defendants having an understanding and knowing what are the allegations against them.

“As it is, Mr Mingo does not, or any iof the defendants, Ms Lawrence and Mr Lowenfield, don’t know the allegations against them.”

Mingo has two sets of charges, one brought by the police and the other by private interests.

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

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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.

Coalition responds to Presidents false statement, Harmon leads the charge

Opposition Leader Joe Harmon

APNU+AFC Coalition condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the irresponsible and false statements made yesterday by President Irfaan Ali. We trust that he reviews the competence of his speechwriters.

We view the false statement by Mr. Irfaan Ali as premeditated and designed to incite the public and stoke ethnic animosity among our people.

There are no known police reports of any rape associated

with recent protest action yet Mr. Ali, in his statement among other charges said, “Raping people’s children… has nothing to do with justice.”

“What rape Mr. Ali? This is a figment of your speechwriters’ imagination.

You may be entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts. You are baselessly branding protestors as rapists.

It is disrespectful, contemptuous and an expression of disdain for those Guyanese

who are outraged at the heinous killings of Isaiah and Joel Henry and most recently Haresh Singh and Chatterpaul Harripaul.

Mr. Ali’s statement about children being raped is patently and wholly false. The spectre of rape has been consistently misused by the PPP to fear monger and incite the public towards hostility.

We recall the shouts of “rape” in the National Assembly

by PPP Member of Parliament Neend

Kumar on 1st December 2017 when nothing of the sort happened. These acts, the recent statements of rape by Brigadier Mark Phillips on Trinidad TV, belittles actual rape victims and minimizes their trauma and pain.

At a time when the nation requires calm, caring and unifying leadership, Mr. Ali’s statement defiles the presidency and actual victims of rape while he is consumed with laying blame.

On the contrary, the APNU+AFC Coalition has issued several statements condemning violence in all forms and I as Leader of the Opposition and other APNU +AFC Leaders of have visited with the families of the victims to offer condolences and provide support while also visiting numerous

communities on West Coast of Berbice the East Coast of Demerara and calling on citizens to respect the rights of other citizens and refrain from any violence, while they engaged in lawful protest action.

Another dangerous extension of the statement is Mr. Ali’s signal that the PPP regime is planning to expand the empowerment of institutions of the state against political opponents.

This is evident in his call for the Ethnic Relations Commission to target me. We have seen, in just over a month of the PPP regime, the indiscriminate use of the police force against political opponents and ordinary citizens.

Thislatestdisturbing development forms part of the PPP’s diabolical agenda

of oppression and political persecution.

Mr. Ali in his statement has clearly underscored that his administration is possessed of a divisive, parochial and alienating mindset which makes them unfit to govern.

The APNU+AFC Coalition repeats its call for an end to this political rhetoric and the commencement of meaningful dialogue to bring an end to the ongoing situation in our country.

Mr. Ali, it is not the Leader of the Opposition’s problem if he visits communities in West Coast Berbice and East Coast of Demerara and is warmly welcomed by the residents while the previous day Mark Phillips and Robeson Benn were rejected by the same citizens.

BREAKING Come REPORT NEWS

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President says govt. will not tolerate racial hate on social media

President Irfaan Ali said on Friday that the government will begin enforcing penalties on those who spread racial hate through social media.

“The use of social media for the promotion of racial hate for political

purpose is wholly unacceptable to me as your President and as a person, and my government will not tolerate it.”

Ali said he is committed to governing the people regardless of political affiliation or ethnic

origin. “It deeply grieves me, therefore, when I see almost every day on social media, the degree of race baiting, racial hate and racial hostility which pervades the social media platforms.”

Ali added that he

was determined to do everything in his power to end this behavior which is dividing the country and our people. He also said that he has spoken with the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, and has directed him to ensure that the full force of our laws is applied to those who pursue this criminal behaviour.

The President wanted to remind those persons guilty of this abuse of social media that freedom of expression does not extend to hate speeches or other expressions, in whatever form,

capable of exciting hostility or ill-will against any person or class of persons.

He added, “ S u c h conduct, publications and utterances constitute grievous criminal offences under the R a c i a l Hostilities, Cybercrime and other similar penal these provisions in our legislation and the State will not laws in appropriate hesitate to resort to circumstances.”

Bagot was arrested

by Police for failure to present himself to the Immigration Authorities and failure to declare foreign currency over the prescribed limit set out by the Foreign Exchange (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Chapter 86:01, Laws of Guyana.

The Court noted that Bagot had previously exited from the designated Immigration point but re-entered Guyana, it was through the ‘backtrack’ route.

After Bagot was detained the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force approached the

Supreme Court for an interim order to detain the cash. The Court granted the detention order for the police to detain the currency on March 17, 2020, and the Order was further extended on June 12, 2020 for three months pending the hearing and determination of forfeiture proceedings filed by SOCU.

Over €24000 to be forfeited to the State

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, revealed in a statement that High Court Judge, Jo Ann Barlow, has ordered that the sum of €24,530, be forfeited to the State. The amount is equivalent to $ 6,065,527.

The money was found in paint cans which were in the

possession of Michael Bagot, a Guyanese national, who was intercepted at the Springlands, Berbice crossing from Suriname on March 12, 2020.

The SpringlandsBerbice crossing is not the official immigration point of entry between Guyana and Suriname.

Nandlall said Mr.

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Judge Barlow found that, based on the manner of concealment of the monies in paint cans, it could be inferred that the monies came from unspecified criminal conduct and ordered the monies to be surrendered to the State.

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

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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,

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

Four suspects in Henry 12 COVID deaths murders released on bail recorded in 10 days

Isaiah & Joel Henry

Four of the seven suspects who were taken into police custody in relation to the brutal murders of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-yearold Joel Henry have been released on bail.

The Henrys bodies were found with

their throats sit on Sunday at the Cotton Tree Backdam, West Coast Berbice. The persons arrested included the owner of the estate where bloodstains were found, a handyman who worked with the estate owner and the

estate owner’s son.

Police have said that the four are being released because their 72-hour detention period has expired.

They are required to report to the police station today.

The investigations are still ongoing.

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

This is a feel-good day at home or with family. Alternatively, you might want to cocoon at home and hide. Either way, there is a feeling of contentment in your world. However, why not give yourself a tiny list of things to do? Tiny is better than nothing.

Be aware that some of the most intimate details of your life might be public for some reason. People seem to know more about you today or perhaps they are talking about you? Meanwhile, you might want to help someone through your job or through any influence that you have. (This is an excellent motivation.)

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)

You are eager to share your views today, which is why you want to talk to someone. Fortunately, because you feel upbeat, your conversations with others will be positive and optimistic. Sports, playful activities with kids and romance will interest you.

Today you have an urge to break free from your daily routine and do something different. Ideally, you want to travel and see new places and meet new faces. If you can’t do this, you can travel mentally through film, books or the Internet. Take a mental journey!

You have money on your mind today.

Not only cash flow and assets, but you might also be thinking about a purchase?

If so, be careful about going overboard because it’s easy to do this today. Just in case, keep your receipts – and the box.

Today your feelings about practically everything are more intense than usual.

Ironically, you might also attract intense or powerful people to you. (Yes, it’s that kinda day.) Don’t be surprised if you want something that someone else has. “My precious!”

Today the Moon is in your sign, which gives you a strong urge to relate to others.

You will be emotionally giving, and you might be emotionally demanding. Your feelings will be stronger – and likewise, you might be luckier! (Ask the universe for a favour.)

Today the Moon is opposite your sign, which draws your attention to your most personal relationships. Today these people are more important to you than usual. However, if you have conflicts with any of them, the tension will be more emotional as well! Chill out.

With Venus in your sign now, you feel friendly and sociable to everyone.

However, today the Moon is hiding in your chart, which means that today you might want to cocoon at home or hide somewhere. You need a little down time to catch your breath.

There is an aspect of self-denial that you might feel today. For example, you might have to put the emotional considerations of someone else before your own. You might have to work for others or do a service for them. Think of this as getting brownie points in life’s big roulette wheel.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

A conversation with a female friend might be important today. Perhaps you will discuss your hopes and dreams for the future, and how to make one of them become a reality? Remember – most of what you see around you began with a thought in someone’s head.

Today you are more relaxed and willing to express who you really are when talking to others. This is why romance will feel emotionally deeper and more intense. You also feel more protective and nurturing to others. It’s a pleasant day!

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