Monday April 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Appeal Court rulings clear way for recount The Court of Appeal yesterday handed down a ruling which effectively clears the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with the nationwide recount of votes cast at the March 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections. I n h e r r u l i n g y e s t e r d a y, President of the Appeal Court Justice Dawn Gregory made it clear that “The Guyana Court of Appeal on Sunday ruled that GECOM cannot farm out its responsibilities such as the management and supervision of general elections to anyone else.” The appeals had stemmed from
a decision by President David Granger to ask CARICOM to supervise the counting of ballots for Region Four, after the tabulating process was halted several times amid accusations of fraud and interference. Both the Coalition and Opposition parties have been accusing each other of interfering with the process with today making it five weeks since the elections. The delays have been characterised by one court case after the next. Justice Gregory, in the emergency ruling yesterday at the Appeals Court, Kingston, said GECOM’s decision to act on an
Pay cuts are temporary; to start at exec level - GTT confirms Pay cuts at Guyana’s largest telecommunications company, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), would begin at the executive level and is viewed as a temporary but necessary measure to survive turbulent times during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This unprecedented situation is already having a severe financial impact on the business and we are just at the beginning. In a bid to ensure continued service provision and with an aim to retain staff for as long as possible, we had to make the tough call to collectively take salary cuts,” explained GTT’s Chief Executive Officer, Justin Nedd. He was confirming a report in Kaieteur News yesterday that the company has been back and forth with employees over pay cuts. Staffers shall receive their full salaries in April and 90% of their salaries for the remainder of the 2020 for those at work, he said. “For those who were unable to be reassigned and will be at home, they receive 60% of the salary. Executives will – as expected – take a larger percentage cut. This move was understood and agreed to by staff, the union and the Department of Labour and will be revisited at the end of May as the situation unfolds.” According to the US-owned company, the focus is to ensure that people have money in their pockets to feed their families – while staying employed. “Hundreds of GTT staff have been working from home for several weeks now. Their techs, once equipped and cleared, have been on the field and working 25% less hours at same pay. GTT is adamant that the steps taken to protect staff’s safety leads the way in the country and the firm is constantly looking for ways to improve. Two large shipments of PPE are expected in 2 weeks and technicians have always had the right to refuse work in the event of unsafe conditions.” The telephone company said that in the past few weeks, GTT has taken several measures to support the call for physical distancing, including the closure of its retail
GTT’s CEO, Justin Nedd outlets. The company made it clear that its actions have been in the interest of the health and well-being of its customers and staff – with online options for bill payment provided. “Globally, unemployment rates are soaring as more and more companies move to layoff – some large and well-known brands included. The US is seeing record unemployment and I suspect that the situation in Guyana will quickly evolve. With the best fiscal prudence in place, these are challenging and unprecedented times that call for unprecedented action. As a company, GTT has been financially strong – and we have survived the tides for nearly 30 years. To take our country through – and to hold on to our people for as long as we can, pardon us while we make our sacrifices. We are in this together – and will emerge stronger,” said Nedd. On Friday, the Ministry of Public Health issued directives for a monthlong partial shutdown of the country as part of the fight against COVID19. Guyana has recorded 24 cases with four deaths. Non-essential employees are being told to stay home for the month with gatherings discouraged and physical distancing protocols activated.
agreement by President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to supervise the recount was illegal. “Any agreement in which supervision is removed from GECOM will be unlawful,” she said. The court relied on a GECOM press statement that spoke of the team’s intention to “supervise” the counting process. The decision of the Appeal Court deemed the recount by GECOM in itself lawful. As such, the injunctions granted by High Court Judge, Franklyn Holder, barring GECOM from carrying such functions remains overturned. The Court therefore decided against sending the case back to the High Court. Based on requests made by attorneys involved in the case, the Court is expected to issue consequential orders on the way forward by 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. The matters stems from an application filed on behalf of APNU– AFC candidate supporter, Ulita Moore. Moore, through her attorneys, had approached the Appeals Court in a bid to overturn a decision of the Full Court not to have her case heard by the High Court. Moore’s request was for the Court to inquire into the constitutionality of a decision made by GECOM to have a high-level CARICOM team supervise a national recount of the votes cast in the March 2 elections. The Full Court had, however, ruled that the High Court could not hear the application by Moore after a team of attorneys for the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo raised objections. Jagdeo’s lawyers held that such matters should have been outlined in an elections petition. As a result, the Appeal Court, which consisted of three judges, Justice Gregory, Justice Rishi Persaud and Justice Brassington Reynolds heard the appeal filed by Moore’s legal team. Moore in her appeal contested that the Full Court erred in law by
Appeals Court Justice, Dawn Gregory finding her case invalid in the context of jurisdiction. In her ruling yesterday, Justice Gregory disagreed with the Full Court noting that, “if a party feels that GECOM is acting outside of its authority, then the court has jurisdiction to hear the case.” Justice Reynolds was in agreement with the views expressed Justice Gregory. Justice Persaud, however, was in total agreement with the Full Court. In a dissenting decision, Justice Persaud noted that GECOM is mandated to ensure a fair and impartial election and is required to put in place mechanisms to achieve that purpose. “This Court is of the view that that the filing of judicial proceedings undermines the legislative process. “On this point, it is clear that the filing of these judicial review proceedings has had the contrary effect to facilitating the efficient completion of the 2nd March 2002 National and Regional Elections. This is a clear demonstration of one type of mischief, which the legislature intended to address by providing in plain and simple language, that these challenges should be addressed by elections petition. The entire scheme of the elections matrix points significantly to the fact that the election process must swiftly
Appeals Court Justice, Rishi Persaud
High Court Justice, Brassington Reynolds and efficiently take its course so as to enable the elections results to be declared.” On Friday, Moore ‘s lead counsel, Dr. Francis Alexis asked the Appeal Court to consider her request to have GECOM and its Chairperson carry out their functions, which is to declare the winning list of candidates and name the President. He argued that the constitutional role of the GECOM Chairman and GECOM had not been usurped by the Caribbean Continued on page 15
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Monday April 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Public Health Workers
W
e need them more than ever. If the caring ones were to reciprocate unprofessionally and vindictively, then those who come fearfully could be in a place of no return. We must not shun them, not lock them out, not ostracize them at this roughest of times. We need our healthcare workers and, so, we must not convert those on the frontlines of our defensive measures into the scorned and feared. Healthcare workers do not have days off at this time. They cannot take emergency leave. They have to turn up at work and face the fires and challenges that come from being at work and on the job tending to those who come, including those who may have the dreaded sickness. They are sure to have their own misgivings and fears, and their fears are multiples of what we may have, since they are saddled with being in the center of the crucibles that daunt. Their brethren in the United States and Europe are besieged and exposed. And though having comparatively more protective gear and more fallback facilities at their disposal, they still fear the risk of contamination. But they still show up and sacrifice for the better of those who come calling. Our nurses and other healthcare professionals here are doing the same. If they can do so under very demanding conditions, a nationally challenging situation, then we, too, must rise up and do our little parts. Most nurses do not have their own vehicles, so they are dependent upon the good graces of our public transportation network of buses and taxis, if the luxury of the latter can be managed. As the caretaker Minister of Public Health urged, let us not single them out or lock them out. The professionals in them, and the particular watchful standards employed today, would necessitate that the required precautions are taken on coming into medical facilities and also when leaving them. If not, the risk of self-infection and the health of family could be impacted for the worse. Come to think of it, if the arbitrary and unhelpful is the lot of healthcare workers, then the real likelihood of the same being extended to others is also a distinct possibility, with little by way anything to check what could lead to widespread paranoia and the panics that accompany such. For this could include those who have to come out of their homes and mingle or tend to the public throughout the day. It does not stop at nurses who would know what to do and would have taken serious efforts at safeguarding themselves, but now encircles those in the wide open market places, almost always congested; those sometimes brushing shoulders with unknown citizens with any manner of the unknown trailing from their respiration; and those who are either uncaring or unwise to do the things that could make them less of a carrier or less of a receptor. There is one common denominator in those segments identified, which any self-respecting medical organisation, or self-protection healthcare worker, would either be irresponsible to not have introduced and enforced for the benefit of patients who come, workers who serve, and entities looking out for their interests. It is that they do what must be done, if only for purposes of continuity. Some sections of the general population are doing what they have been told to do, and what they can do, their own circumstances considered. But many others cannot. It was suspected and now known that pensioners, due to their own tight financial situations, do not have such luxuries, are unable to entertain such considerations and necessary precautions. They have to come and cluster. There is no choice for them. Yet, there is not much by way of suspicion nor fear with receiving them in the midst, and this is even when, because of age and different risk factors that make them vulnerable, they are more prone to catch and carry this illness. There have been no reports or concerns that pensioners and others are being targeted. For all these reasons, it makes no sense and is counterintuitive to single out health professionals for different treatment. We pray for them.
GOOD PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING OUT DEAR EDITOR, I note recent statements by some decent, prominent people such as Professor Sankat, (Granger’s colleague and Belize University President); the PM of Trinidad, Mr. Keith Rowley, who thinks the Guyana situation may end badly; Malcolm Parris (former PNC minister and Burnhamite) supporting a recount and power sharing, and a letter to the editor by Mr. Harold Beharry, a prominent businessman. There was also Mr. Craig Sylvester holding up a sign that says, “Why the PNC Doesn’t Tell Their Supporters That They Lost the Elections?” and a letter by Mr. Nigel Hinds saying it’s wrong for the PNC to steal PPP votes. The greater tragedy of Guyana is not just the ongoing evil of the PNC illegally clinging on to power; it is when the good men are silent or are complicit. One blogger said now is the time for decent Afro-Guyanese to speak out on the PNC’s current bullying behaviour and destabilization of the nation.
While unexpected, I am delighted at the letter by Mr. Harold Beharry whom I know since the 1970s through the Inter Varsity and Inter School Christian Fellowship and when he was an active member of the Central Assembly of God Church. Harold is one of the most decent person you can find anywhere in the world and has never been political. He must have spoken out, citing scriptures, because he can’t take it anymore how the PNC is destroying the country and the Christian Church is largely silent. I am a founder member of the Lancaster Assembly of God Church and my wife is a founding member of the now Unity Full Gospel Fellowship. Our biggest disappointment is the continued silence of these two denominations (whose top leaders received appointments and national honours from Mr. Granger) and others such as the New Testament Church of God, the Lifespring Ministries, the Elim Church and others within the Georgetown Ministers Fellowship (GMF) and the
Guyana Evangelical Fellowship (GEF). History will record that at such a time as this, our so- called prophets, bishops, and apostles were not only silent, they are giving tacit support to the PNC riggers. At this traumatic time in the nation, the Full Gospel leadership held a prayer breakfast for Mr. Granger attended by some GMF/GEF members. The Office of the Presidency showed pictures of Pastor Smith’s 75th birthday, with Mr. Granger as the chief guest of honour, during the initial election count. Surely these leaders must understand the symbolism of their actions. What is more distressing and disappointing, if not tragic, is the number of people on the blogs, who say the PNC is a Christian party and praying for the PNC to succeed in its rigging while mouthing off statements such as “no weapon formed against the PNC shall prosper,” and similar Christian sloganeering. Such behaviour does irreparable harm to the Christian cause as they seek to convert the
“heathens” or win others to the Christian side. One cannot claim to be a Christian and support the stealing of an opponent’s votes, or be silent when it happens in full view of everyone. The Church has to be a unifier and healer, and you cannot do that by siding with the wrongdoers. You have to tell the truth. I call on Christians all over Guyana and abroad, to call on your Pastors or whatever other lofty, fancy titles your leaders have given themselves, to speak out for justice and fairplay. The Statement of Polls (SOPs) in possession of all the parties show that the PPP won 53%; The PPP knows that and the PNC knows that, and the foreign embassies have copies of the SOPs. So it is not the PPP trying to cheat; it’s the PNC. So, to my Christian brethren, don’t act stupidly and think “God” will perform miracles and convert PPP votes to PNC votes. Get some sense. What would Jesus do? Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall USA
Inspiring citizens to fight against COVID-19: Irfaan Ali, BJ leading from the front DEAR EDITOR, Before this COVID-19 crisis ends, Guyana would be recognized for a best-practice. The Guyana Mask-Up - I Protect You, You Protect Me Campaign is on a mission to ensure every Guyanese has possession of locally-made masks for use whenever citizens are out or for use at home or other places where risks might exist. A handful of other countries have embarked on a mask-up campaign. South Korea, Iceland, Singapore, India, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan have done so, mainly using factory-made surgical masks. America has now joined the handful of countries. In America, the supply of factory-made surgical masks is limited and, thus, citizens have started the homemade masks and distributing to hospitals and health workers. Guyana’s Mask-Up Campaign is using 100% locally made masks. Citizens are using their sewing machines, they are donating fabric or money to buy fabrics. Citizens are uniting to fight COVID-19. The Guyana Mask-Up Campaign is a national effort, with the goal of ensuring every citizen has a mask to use, an initiative driven by the National COVID-19 Forum established by Drs. Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo. This is what leadership looks like. Even in the midst of the fight to preserve our democracy, even with Guyana facing various non-COVID-19 crises,
these leaders have steppedup to the plate. COVID-19 is a global health crisis. Guyana is confronted by the COVID-19 health crisis. Indeed, COVID19 is now an existential crisis for Guyana and for the world. Already, of the miserly 80 people tested, 23 have tested positive. Unfortunately, four of our citizens have died. Without being critical of the national response, there is a need for a more cohesive and aggressive confrontation of COVID-19 in Guyana. Dr. Irfaan Ali has not said anything critical about the national response. Instead, he has organised his party’s colleagues and persons outside of his party into a National COVID-19 Forum for the purpose of supporting the national response. The General Secretary of the PPP has thrown the considerable human resources and other resources of the PPP behind the COVID-19 National Forum. On a daily basis, these leaders are assuring the Guyanese people they are by their sides, helping to ensure that COVID-19 does not overwhelm the nation. They are leading from the front, visible. The National COVID-19 Forum is working diligently at the moment promoting a number of initiatives to support the national response to stop COVID-19. One of these initiatives is the Guyana MaskUp Campaign. The campaign
is already mobilising people around the country, inspiring them to become part of the fight to stop COVID-19. The campaign is encouraging every citizen to mask-up every time they leave home and even in homes or other buildings where circumstances necessitate the use of masks. Recognising the shortage in the health sector for masks, the National COVID-19 Forum is designed not to pressure the national supply for factory-made, imported N95 masks and surgical masks. The Forum decided that the meager supply for these items should be available 100% for the health sector. Instead, the National COVID-19 Forum embarked on the local production of masks, using local supply of fabrics in the stores and using the seamstresses and garment factories. By the end of today more than 10,000 locally made masks would already have been distributed. The Forum is distributing masks to police officers, to health care providers who have limited supply, to market vendors and to citizens in general. Bharrat Jagdeo is daily encouraging people to use masks. Irfaan Ali has gone out into the communities personally distributing masks. Every citizen is inspired in doing his or her part. Some are sewing, some are donating, some are out helping with distribution. It is good to see the out-front leadership being shown. Lives will be saved,
the health sector will benefit from fewer people coming to them because of a simple campaign. In addition, the Forum is engaged in several other initiatives. One of these initiatives is education and awareness. There is an aggressive education and awareness campaign presently being pushed by the Forum which is supporting the overall National Response. The awareness and education programme is promoting social distancing, encouraging people to keep distance, to stay home, how to use good hygiene, how to safely use public transportation, etc. One critical element of the National Response has to be socio-economic support for people. People are hurting, some people already have a major problem with providing food for their families. The Forum will not be able to solve this problem. Only governments can do so. Thus far, the government has been silent on this matter. In the short-term, with limited resources, the Forum has been helping a small number of families. Right now Food banks around the country, providing groceries for people has become a big part of the fight. The Forum is appealing to the Government to intervene now. The establishment of an on-line medical consultation team already has received thousands of calls from (Continued on page 5)
Monday April 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Oh Guyana can’t you see- You’re Environment of deceit impacting law decision may be ren- pillars upon which democracy posing a threat to future social identity and order Court’s] dered merely academic if stands. they state their country of and the unprecedented deDEAR EDITOR,
DEAR EDITOR, There is a court matter engaging the attention of the Appeal Court that will determine whether the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can proceed with a National Recount. It is therefore unusual, if not disdainful to the Appellate Court for GECOM to make any decision with regards to a recount as reported by legal counsel Kim Kyte-Thomas –-attorney representing GECOM Chairperson, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh. Further, Kyte’s statement goes on to say, “…however, the execution of that decision and the process will not commence before Sunday,” suggesting in that statement that even though there is a wait to recount, said will not be hindered by any ruling made by the Appellate Court. Whereas we can assume the language was misused and unfortunate, in our current environment, there are internal and external forces demonstrating intolerance for legal rights to pursue justice in a court of law and making statements that show contempt for the judicial process and decisions. Such statements amplify our concerns for law and order in Guyana and for credible resolution of the elections consistent with said laws. Our decent law-abiding citizens expect nothing less than lawful decision making and guidance from the Chairperson of GECOM who has spent years in the judiciary and has had an exemplary track record as far as the public is aware. From the arguments before the Court, Justice Dawn Gregory Barnes reportedly noted concerns, “that its [the
statements put before the Courts are “accurate”. GECOM and more importantly Justice Claudette Singh should not be in such a situation, regardless of the outcome of the court’s ruling. We are treading dangerous waters, influenced by forces undermining our Judicial branch of government to shape a new ‘truth’ and ‘new order’ in our society. One dependent on their views and vision, of what must be. These are not premised on universal principles and the rule of law. They have no respect for sovereign rights and democracy. Yet they pay lip service to these gold star principles speaking with various tongues and language that do not fool all the people all the time. I have no doubt that the majority of Guyanese can live in love and harmony with each other. I have no doubt that the majority of us enjoy the culture of each other for we have lived together long enough to be acculturated. We are divided by political forces seeking the control of power. We are divided by lies and myths, by nurtured hate and recently by paid lobbyists taking advantage of our fears. Every society has fears and concerns manifested by different groups and subcultures. These may be religious, ethnic, economic or even the most insignificant and unthinkable things within cultures. It takes leadership with vision to recognise and address these, to bring a people together to harness their strengths for mutual benefits. Those who shout the loudest about democracy must respect our laws for they are the
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
DEAR EDITOR, It is in times of crisis where we see the true nature of our leaders. The crisis caused by the coronavirus has given us the opportunity to see the type of leader Dr. Irfaan Ali will be. All across the world leaders of countries have been regularly briefing their respective nations as to the current situation in the country and steps being taken to combat the virus. The exception however is Guyana. David Granger has been mostly absent as this crisis continues to deepen. President-elect Irfaan Ali in contrast has been readily accessible to the nation. He is constantly on television and Facebook reassuring a traumatised nation. He is leading a Multi Stakeholder
task force that is not only providing strategies to deal with the crisis, but also planning and strategizing for the post coronavirus era, which is critical to bringing the nation back to normalcy. Just yesterday Dr. Ali and a team were out distributing masks to the public as they attempted to fill the void left by the coalition. It is through this crisis that we are granted a window to view what a Dr. Ali government will be. We already can see that it will be proactive and that it will put the interest of the citizens first. We are anxious for this administration to be in place. The sooner it is the better it will be for us all. Regards Sherwyn Greaves
America Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch recently reassured Guyanese of USA’s well-kept secret of “impartiality.” Like most Guyanese, I am pleased to hear this. I am sure we also took note of the reference to the USA government’s comments on Venezuela’s elections. And whereas I fully appreciate the comparison, this opportunity is taken to remind Ambassador Lynch that as much as the viewpoints of external forces are welcomed these should not take precedence over our courts. These should not set out to become diktat by which we operate. It is not so in the USA or any of the Western democracies. Why must it be so in Guyana where the courts are credible, and our justice system have been appealed to by representatives of both major parties? Can I as a Guyanese call on the US Ambassador to help this young developing nation abide by the decisions handed down by the court of law regardless of where the chips fall? That in my opinion would be a demonstration of “good diplomacy.” That is diplomacy that operates within a legal framework and which encourages growth and respect for law and order. That is the diplomacy of impartiality that we are asking for. We ask the same of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Groups and all others who claim to have Guyana’s best interest at heart even as their words could be seen as undermining our efforts, our courts and judicial system. Ambassador Lynch also stated, “...democracy, or rule by the people, is almost always noisy.” Guyanese maybe inclined to ask, “What is different about Guyana’s noise in a growing democracy that translates to us being subjected to foreign and local interest seeking to circumvent our courts?” Environment of deceit impacting law and order. These are no doubt the conditions influencing GECOM and Justice Claudette Singh as Guyana attempts to navigate this election impasse. Lincoln Lewis
Citizens become known by the seeds leaders have sown. As the Guyanese government and its citizens continue parading before the world stage displaying both their asininities and proclivities they should be once again reminded that research has found that morality is a key aspect of social identity. WE have been frequently and conveniently bombarded from all angles of society, with the axiom that the youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Many of the politicians have also adopted the phrase, although it is somewhat more mentally-fulfilling if said the other way around—the youths are the leaders of today based on the displayed behaviour of those who claim to be the leaders. The General Elections on March 2, came about fifteen months after the APNU/ AFC lost its one seat majority in the Parliament after MP Charrandas Persaud voted against his own party’s (AFC) leadership. Such an unexpected and highly controversial outcome triggered a protracted period of political instability and policy gridlock. Notwithstanding, the Caribbean Court of Justice ruling of June 18, 2019, that the no-confidence vote of December 2018 had been legitimately passed by a majority of MPs, and consequently led to a constitutional call for new elections by September 18, 2019. Despite this ruling, the government further delayed the date of elections until March 2, 2020, undeterred by the strong criticism of opposition leaders as well as by members of the international community. Now one month later and the winner of the last general elections is yet to be declared. What example is being set for the youth—the future leaders? If the axiom holds true then shame is likely to be elicited when the youths see that the behaviour of the so-called leaders seems bent on threatening to tarnish their core sense of identity. Already Guyanese residing overseas are forced to endure harsh stereotypical attacks, once
origin. The truth be exposed, there are some existing narratives that does neither the country nor its natives any good. Guyana is not recalled in light of its rainforest, or the country that has the highest single drop waterfall, but instead as being the place where Jim Jones, an American made over 900 people commit suicide by drinking cyanide – laced Kool-Aid. Some natives have been known to shy away from full disclosure, for fear of the negative connotation that usually ensues. It is not a matter of being unpatriotic. Instead, it is the total opposite – for it is the love of one’s country Guyana, and self-identification with it that generates the feeling of shame in the first instance. Additionally, in Confucian ideology shame is by far a better emotion to have than renunciation. Post-election actions as they relate to the counting of the ballots, the surreptitious movements of GECOM personnel, the undiplomatic treatment of foreign diplomats, the legal bickering, allusions of rigging,
lay before tally completion and winner declaration. The world has been watching on as Guyana continues on her infamous path, and it is the selfsame world that would link our country and its natives via harsh recalls about our barefaced rigging, our delayed ability to complete a fair and transparent voting process, and the accompanying shenanigans regarding the security lights at Giftland mall shining on the Arthur Chung Convention Centre as it housed the ballot boxes. The removal of the ballot boxes was carried out without prior notice, or stakeholders being made aware as to the provisions that had been put in place to assure the security of the containers, although the said containers were seen as being crucial in resolving the outcome of the elections. The negative connotations that accompany Guyana and the Guyanese identity remains enshrined in firmly held belief by the Brits. In 1968 when votes from the diaspora determined the election, the (Contiinued on page 6)
Inspiring citizens to... From page 4 citizens. This team has been mobilised through the forum and is able to answer people’s queries. This is a critical component of the national response. The national Hotlines established by the government is important, but, thus far, people have expressed grave concerns about the help they get from the National Hotlines. These concerns must be addressed. In the meanwhile, the National COVID-19 Forum’s medical online team is filling a vacuum. In the midst of continued gloom in Guyana, the leadership shown by Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali in the fight against COVID-19 offers a glimmer of hope. With initiatives like the Mask-Up Campaign, not only has Guyana emerged with a best-practice in the fight against COVID-19, but we have inspired our people, no matter what their race or religion or who they voted for. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
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Monday April 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Crisis The WHO has to rewrite its plague Cold competition and COVID-19 the US was 25%. The US FedDEAR EDITOR, will therefore be weakened as ure, if the WHO could have international scale to fulfill the eral Reserve of St Luis estiApril 4, 2020 oil is at the global hegemon. handbook gone back in time, they would extreme definition of pan- US On$28.34 mates that unemployment will a barrel. Oil has
DEAR EDITOR, The common cold, a member of the Corona family of viruses, has been causing great discomfort to humans since time immemorial and with all the wonders that medical science has been able to accomplish, it has failed to find a cure for the common cold - confirmation of how defenseless we are against viruses. While we live with the thought that the common cold is just another species of the invisible kind that survived on Noah’s Ark, we humans failed to recognise that deadlier cousins could have possibly made the voyage on the Ark too. Today, COVID19 has grounded the world economy, restricted our way of life, causing untold sufferings and death of humans on an unprecedented scale since World War 2. Given the present state of affairs. I fig-
have done it differently. They would have probably made a call to world leaders to close down the borders around Wuhan, China where the virus was first known to be killing people since last year, and pour in resources to “nip it in the bud” in that locality. The slothfulness of the WHO to react would suggest that they underestimate the destructive power of the virus or was lured into doing so by misinformation being fed to the WHO by China. If this could be proven, China should be held liable to compensate the other countries for the suffering endured. It is difficult to understand how a virus that was known to be killing people was taken lightly by the WHO, unless being misled. The mindset of the human is difficult to comprehend! Maybe COVID-19 really had to manifest itself on an
demic - to get the attention of the powers that be in the WHO. On January 23, the WHO said, the outbreak did not yet constitute a public emergency of international concern and there was “no evidence” at that time of the virus being transmitted from human to human. As the virus begins to spread and slaughter people around the world, the WHO declared a global pandemic on March 11. To date, no one knows if the worst is yet to come. The financial fallout and the toll on human lives by the time this pandemic would be over, offers an invaluable lesson to the WHO and leaders of the world - never underestimate these invisible monsters (viruses), nip them in the bud as soon as they begin to plague man. WHO has to rewrite its plague handbook. Rudolph Singh
THE LEGACY OF THIEVERY CONTINUES DEAR EDITOR, People’s influence and traits can linger long after they have passed to the great beyond. Their teachings, whether they be inspirational or serpentine oftentimes wind their way into the very psyche of the human existence. Religion is the most profound example; black power, Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis compromise other segments. In Guyana today, the Founder Rigger is very much alive and his successors are making some really lopsided copying of his perfected rigging apparatus. The engines that drive the Guyana’s election process seem to have the wrong type of fuel, incorrect speed and an incompetent driver; not to mention the passengers who are either kicked out
or barely holding on. The ongoing gross atrocities is both shameless and an international sore that has resurfaced. Why is it that the police prevent the PPP Commissioners from entering GECOM facilities and from checking up on the containers holding ballot boxes while other parties allowed free passage? The Chair does nothing! When ballot box containers are moved around for counting/storage why are the commissioners and other contesting not informed? Here again the Chair does nothing? The Chair has enormous powers and can still put the counting process back on track. The Chair is the boss of Lowenfield, Mingo and HAVE FULL AUTHORITY
OVER GECOM commissioners. Once the CJ ruled against Mingo’s illegal actions, the Chair should have removed Mingo immediately and censured the Chief Officer for not supervising properly; yet the chair the only response is one of paralysis. Top functionaries have gone into hiding, claiming to be tired, away from their offices, pretending to be sick and waiting on abused and misused court processes. The chair of GECOM, some may want to conclude, is awaiting instructions from high places on what course to take and the Coalition is doing anything and everything to stay in power. Burnham’s legacy lives on! Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine New York
Oh Guyana can’t you see- You’re... From page 5 voting lists compiled by the PNC’s diplomats in America and the U. K revealed invented names and fake addresses. One U. K address proved to be an open field housing two horses and not two voters Lily and Olga Barton as was indicated. Of 900 names checked in Britain, little more than 100 were genuine. In New York, four in every 10 were. Granada T.V documentary series World in Action titled “Trail of the Vanishing Voters” focused on the elections held in 1968, with special emphasis on unearth-
ing the massive riggings of elections under the Forbes Burnham led PNC government. As a consequence, bemused Britishers used this new-information as an opportunity for displaced humour to be levelled at individuals who claimed Guyana as their place of origin. In 1973, the documentary series again looked at how the PNC rigged the 1973 elections giving itself a 2/3 majority. The overseas vote was once again overstated, proxy and postal voting gave the deceased, underaged and fictional, while
disenfranchising real people. Corruption in Guyana has been pervasive and ongoing, and as such still continues to negatively tarnish the image of the average Guyanese especially the young and those residing overseas. It is therefore incumbent on those in authority especially at governmental levels to promptly address the issue of deplorable acts and actions at home that generate critical oppobriums by which its citizens become known to the world at large and oftentimes remain permanently linked to. Yvonne Sam
been less than US$30 and as low as US$20 for about a month now. The Russian refused to cut production and then Saudi Arabia said they will sell, in April 12.3 million barrel a day, more than their production capacity which mean they will use their reserve. US president Donald Trump has tried to negotiate a truce but both Saudi Arabia and Russia want the US to cut production also. US Oil Companies are heavily indebted and need oil to be at least US$50 a barrel. Both Saudi Arabia and Russia need far less than US$50 a barrel to make a profit. Even during the COVID-19 pandemics nations are still in cold competition. I surmised that the COVID- 19 crisis is a global changing event equivalent to a world war. I predict the United States will be devastated by the COVID Crisis and
The US has 306,997 cases and 8,350 deaths. China has 81,639 cases and 3,326 deaths. Iran 55,743 cases and 3,452 deaths. Saudi Arabia has 2,729 cases and 31 deaths. Russia has 4,731 cases and 43 deaths. By far the US is the most affected both in cases and deaths. Secondly, in two decades the US had three economic crashes that they bailed out the corperations and left the ordinary people to suffer. The 2000 dot com crisis, the 2008 Great Recession and the COVID Crisis of 2020. This shows instability and will lead to class conflict. This is how Donald Trump got elected by tapping into that working class discontent, although he wrongfully blamed it on immigrants taking their jobs. In two weeks 10 million new people claim unemployment benefits in the US. This is shaping up to be worst than the Great depression when Unemployment in
be 32.1% in the US. Because the US dollar is the world reserve currency, its value will rise for a short time but will eventually fall like in 2008 but it bounce back will be uncertain. If China bailout the world like in 2008 (bailout the US) it will rise but if it continues its competition with China, it will have major negative effect on its critical economy. The other competitors for global hegemony will be less effected by the COVID Crisis and therefore recovery will be much swifter than the US. Guyana is managing the COVID Crisis okay with 24 cases and 4 deaths but must pay attention to this tipping point caused by the COVID Crisis. Protectionism, nationalism and government surveillance or control of its citizenry will likely increase globally and locally. Yours truly, Brian E Plummer
and tabulate the SOPs and/or recount the votes for Region/ District # 4 in a transparent and credible manner for March 2, 2020 General Elections, more so, for the national recount of votes (an undertaking you initiated and signed to for CARICOM to supervise)? Stop running behind the courts for cover and buying time to delay your departure from office. And, just to remind you, that you have done the same before, by using the courts to
throw out a valid No-Confidence Motion of December 2018, and you didn’t succeed. So what makes you feel, you will succeed this time with rigging the results of a national elections? In concluding, I wish to offer some words of advice from an ancient religious text, “When sound dialogue fails to resolve an issue; citizens’ actions (in whatever form) become necessary”. So why beg? Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan
Stop running and hide behind the courts DEAR EDITOR, After one long month, the APNU/AFC monarchy is still squatting in government at the expense of tax payers’ money, which would have been better used to fight the COVID -19 pandemic at this time. I ask de facto president Granger, why at the local and international levels, individuals and organisations have to beg APNU and GECOM to verify
FORGET ABOUT R4 SOPS, RECOUNT BALLOTS OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY DEAR EDITOR, Mingo refuses to TABULATE (for emphasis Tabulate) Region 4 SOPs. (He made up the numbers, fictitious numbers on a Spreadsheet) How does Guyana fix this problem? GECOM ordered a recount of all the ballots some 420,000 ballots in the whole country. The people of this nation are aghast, not able to comprehend. They are asking: Is that how you fix the R4 Tabulation problem? I called the plumber to fix a broken pipe in my bathroom. He came, inspected, looked around - then said the job will cost $100,000. Why
so much? He said he must rip out the whole system (whole house) and replace it. I called another plumber. He identified a localized problem: broken pipe in one bathroom. Cost for repair $900. Go, fix it, I said.Counting ballots in the whole country – like ripping out the plumbing system from one’s whole house – is a wrecking ball strategy. The solution is for GECOM to produce the R4 SOPs to the Courts or (better yet) to Ms. Mia. That’s both the source and solution of the problem. Counting 420,000 ballots? Will lead to mass confu-
sion, more broken ballot boxes, missing ballots. Many more court filings. Meanwhile Rome is burning, er Guyana is burning !!!! Who started this thing about Counting ballots? He must be one helluva mad man - or a devious man. It had been reported Mr. Granger called Ms. Mia and said, “Mia, Let’s get to the bottom of this thing, I want all the ballots to be recounted. This way nobody will ever know what happened with SOPs in Region 4".Ms. Mia said, “Ok David, I have to call Jagdeo to see if he’ll agree”. Mike Persaud
Monday April 06, 2020
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Guyana excluded from first batch COVID-19 aid package Former Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
Guyana’s development partner, The World Bank decided last Thursday to launch its first aid operations to improve the capacities of 25 key countries in their fight to manage the outbreak of COVID-19. Guyana, identified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as one of the least prepared to manage the outbreak of the virus, is not included. The World Bank’s project uses a dedicated, fast-track facility for the response, the bank stated, and amounts to US$1.9B. The countries benefitting from this project are Afghanistan, Argentina, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, São Tomé e
Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, The Gambia and Yemen. It is noted that Argentina, Ecuador and Paraguay, included in this list, are all Guyana’s regional neighbours who are included in the IMF’s report, not as illprepared as Guyana is. The IMF had said that the top priority is ensuring that front-line health-related spending is available to protect people’s well-being, take care of the sick, and slow the spread of the virus. “In countries where there are limitations in healthcare systems, the international community must step in to help them avert a humanitarian crisis,” the IMF stated. Guyana had approached the Bank in March for US$5M to aid in its fight to resist the outbreak, through the Bank’s Rapid Response Emergency Facility.
Even in low oil price... From page 2 Upper Cretaceous wells, across the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks, over the next 12 months. Current guidance from the various deepwater operators indicates that Westmount is likely to be the only London quoted junior player offering exposure to drilling offshore Guyana in 2020. It said that success in some of these wells could result in transformational value changes for the medium term and positive times ahead for shareholders. NEAR TERM OUTLOOK In light of the arrival of a series of unprecedented events on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic, Westmount told its shareholders that the near term outlook is likely to be dominated by extreme volatility, in the first instance, as public health authorities grapple globally with containment and mitigation measures with respect to the virus. The company said: “The duration of the pandemic is unclear at this stage, though there is some evidence from China in recent days which suggests that the measures taken there have been successful and that the peak of the epidemic there has now passed (after 3 months). In addition, synchronized economic stimuli are being put in place by governments across the main global economies to cushion the immediate impacts and promote economic rebound.” In spite of this immediate outlook, Westmount contended that proven plays, large discovered volumes and prodigious exploration success rates, continue to highlight the GuyanaSuriname Basin as a global exploration hotspot.
Former Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who leads the country’s COVID19 National Task Force, told reporters Saturday during a live press conference that the application was still being processed, even as the Bank has begun the execution of its first aid operations. While Guyana is not benefitting from The World Bank’s first aid operations, it awaits possible future disbursements.
A statement noted that new operations are moving forward in over 40 countries using the fasttrack process. Additionally, the Bank said that it is working to redeploy resources in existing World Bank financed projects worth up to US$1.7B, and spanning every region. “The World Bank Group is prepared to deploy up to $160 billion over the next 15 months to support COVID-19 measures that will help
countries respond to immediate health consequences of the pandemic and bolster economic recovery,” it stated. The Bank said that its broader economic program aims to shorten recovery time, create conditions for growth,
support small and medium enterprises, and help protect the poor and the vulnerable. A strong focus in its operations poverty, with an emphasis on policy-based financing, and protecting the poorest households and the environment.
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Monday April 06, 2020
IGNORE SHUTDOWN RUMOURS The Region 10 Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC) head, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Orrin Gordon, has issued an appeal for residents to ignore the ‘shutdown’ rumours that is being circulated. He said that the RHEC has not met and as such, the committee cannot support such a call. The REO, who heads the RHEC which was established by the Ministry of Community, said that businesses are free to close their businesses if they so desire. However, he stressed that all businesses must be closed by 6pm until 6 am, as per the countrywide restrictions. “We cannot tell businesses in Region 10 that they must close during the day, as there is no order that says so. As a matter of fact, our role is to support and endorse what the Minister of Public Health has issued, thus we will continue lending valuable support and assistance in this regard. However, no person can instruct any business to close during the day as it is unlawful,” he warned. Gordon said that while RHEC is aware of the intentions of some businesses to have a complete shutdown, he said that this needs to first be discussed at the Regional Committee level involving the Chamber and other stakeholders. He said that the Committee can make a proposal to the national committee for
- Region 10 health officials urge consideration but in no way has the authority or mandate to limit the business hours for businesses operating from 6am to 6pm. “We have received the order and we are seeking to provide support to the various items outlined and will support through the RDC, Mayor and Town Council and all other stakeholders,” he said. He, however, dismissed the report circulating in some sections of the media stating that the lockdown comes into effect on Monday April 6 warning that with the ‘misinformation’, it has the potential of increasing undue panic. “We do not have the powers to tell any business to open as if a businessman wants to close all day then that’s his/her decision as they are in right to take whatever decision they want. However, to circulate that the entire town and or region will shut down is not being responsible as we are cognizant that there are several businesses that supports a 6pm to 6am curfew but not a shutdown,” he said. Meanwhile, President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Victor Fernandes is calling the report printed in a section of the media as being sensational and motivated by certain persons within the community.
“There are some persons who will benefit if there is a complete shutdown, because while they are calling for a complete shutdown but only essential businesses will remain open and we as a Chamber have not discussed this and for the Linden Business Network… to say that they are speaking on behalf of the entire business community is certainly irresponsible and unlawful,” Fernandes said. The businessman warned that there is a Regional Committee in place and as such, its actions must be supporting the Minister not superseding her as this will certainly have adverse effects. “I think that the Chamber and more so the RHEC’s role is to provide support to the national curfew not to be superseding what the Minister of Public Health has sought to do in terms of instituting a curfew and I would like to urge businesses that chooses not to close during the day that they have the authority to do so, we as a Chamber stands united with a curfew. However, our position is clear that we do not support a complete shutdown now,” he declared. The Chamber President said that since the announcement of the Linden Business Network, it has resulted in undue panic and panic buying among several residents with a number of them wondering what systems are in place to assist those who are unable to sustain themselves during a lockdown. He, however, appealed to the network to
No Shutdown in Region 10: Regional Executive Officer and Head of the Regional Emergency and Health Committee, Orrin Gordon. be mindful of its actions, while acting responsibly in this very serious but delicate time. “ We have to fight COVID-19 together and as such, our actions and decisions must be fully thought out while we must also consult with all stakeholders before implementing decisions willy-nilly,” he reiterated. REO Gordon said that as the Regional Executive Officer, his position along with that of the Committee remains the same- no decision has been made for any shutdown and therefore residents should dismiss it.
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Anna Regina markets to remain closed indefinitely The Anna Regina Town Council took a recent decision to close the Anna Regina Market, in another attempt to prevent the spread of COVID19. On Friday, the Mayor of the Anna Regina Township, Rajendra Prabhulall convened a special meeting with his Town Clerk and Councillors. It was at this meeting that the decision was made by the council to halt all markets and vending along the roadside indefinitely. Within the town of Anna Regina, there are two major markets, and a number of other private business establishments. The council pointed out that there will be a ‘temporary market,’ which will be held every Friday from 07:00hrs to 13:00hrs.
The Mayor also underlined the fact that while an exception is given for vending on Friday, social distancing should be adhered to. On that note, he added, just essential goods, such as fruits, vegetables and other food items, should be sold on Fridays. Restaurants, on the other hand, will only be allowed to do take away services and will have to be closed by 18:00hrs. Since confirmation of the COVID-19 in Guyana, much has changed in the way business is being conducted on the Essequibo Coast. In adhering to the COVID19 task force in Region Two, many bars on the Coast has remained close in accordance to the directives of the Ministry of Public Health. R e s t a u r a n t s , supermarkets and pharmacies
-vendors allowed limited operations on Fridays
The Anna Regina Market looking almost deserted of shoppers on last Wednesday afternoon as COVID-19 fears spread. are closed by 18:00hrs, and like most parts of the country, travelling are restricted during the curfew.
Stabbed Timehri man begged for help before dying Police are desperately trying to ascertain who killed 24year-old Lawrence Benjamin of Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The investigators are also trying to determine the motive behind the killing. Kaieteur News understands that Benjamin was stabbed to the neck and left side. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was taken after being discovered. The father of one was discovered yesterday in a pool of blood in a white plastic chair under a shed in the community at around 09:45hrs. He was last seen alive by his mother at her Lot 50 Ice House Road home, in Timehri. When contacted, Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon stated that “we don’t have the facts on how he received his injuries but what we know is that he was found under a shed sitting in a chair with stab wounds.”
Stabbed to death: Lawrence Benjamin Customers gathered at the Republic Bank in Linden, defying the six-foot physical distancing requirements.
When contacted, citizens in the area told Kaieteur News that Benjamin was not stabbed at the corner shop. He was, however, seen running and calling for help
with blood seeping from his wounds before he went and sit in the chair under the shop. So far, no arrests have been made as police continue their investigations.
Dem boys seh ...
The world will not be the same again
Dem boys read something nice like fried rice. Dem boys nah know the author but dem boys want share it: “We fall asleep in one world; and we wake up in another. Suddenly Disney is out of magic. Paris is no longer romantic. New York does not stand up anymore. China is no longer a fortress. And Mecca is empty. Hugs and kisses suddenly become weapons. And not visiting parents and friends becomes an act
Linden in panic buying as group proposes lockdown
of love. Power, beauty and money are worthless when you can’t get the oxygen you’re fighting for. The world continues its life and it is beautiful. It only puts humans in cages. I think it is sending us a message: You are not necessary. The air, earth, water and sky without you are fine. When you come back, remember you are my guests, not my master.” Take note, politicians, especially Moses, the man that part the Red Sea, and Vulga de Larence.
Wanting to shut down de place which dem boys seh is all well and good to fight the virus, but de timing and how swiftly it was announced, dem boys smell wickedness in she.Just listen wah de Moses seh the next day when asked about SHECOM recount. He tell all Guyana how SHECOM will have to mek de approaches at the right time to Soulja Bai with regards to any RECOUNT. Smell anything ???? Talk half and lef the other half for Mother Earth.
Regional Health Officer, for Region 10, Dr. Pansy Armstrong said that what is needed to combat the COVID-19, and take control of the situation, is for persons to adopt lifestyle changes, through the practice of social distancing, hand-washing and maintaining proper hygiene. Once those stipulations are adhered to, Dr. Armstrong pointed out, the magnitude and devastation of the virus, would be lessened. “The magnitude of the impact of this thing depends on all of us taking responsibility, taking precautionary measures and adhering to the stipulated guidelines for our safety,” she admonished. With regards to the wearing of masks which is not presently mandatory, Dr. Armstrong advised, that as soon as the first case of the virus ‘hits Region 10,’ every resident should adapt this method of protection. In the meanwhile, all should be cautious and responsible, she added. She further pointed out, that in the case of any eventuality, all three hospitals in Region 10 - the Mackenzie, Upper Demerara and Kwakwani Hospitals- have been prepared with isolation units for quarantining patients. The Regional Health
Officer was at the time engaged in a panel discussion on COVID-19 and the steps being taken to combat its impact on Region 10, considered a key area as it is the gateway to scores of hinterland communities, logging and mining operations.Meanwhile, Linden Mayor, Wanneka Arrindell has stated that there is no lockdown in Linden from today as is being rumoured. She posited that contrary to what is presently being peddled, about a lockdown of the town, discussions are currently ongoing with business persons, on the way forward. Last week, a group of business persons, known as the Linden Business Network, in a local radio programme, had signaled their intentions to lockdown the town from today. Subsequently, a few businesses had issued advisories that they would be closed from today until further notice. However, the Mayor and other regional leaders have stated that the group had merely presented their proposals, and had no authority to lock the town down. It was further contended, that the opening hours proposed by the group, for essential businesses, is in conflict with the existing
curfew, which was recently imposed. Residents hearing of the proposed lockdown, descended on the various supermarkets and commercial banks, to ensure they stocked up on necessities in case of such an eventuality. A number of the supermarkets that were bombarded included Jermaine’s and James Sons on Mackenzie and Delroy and Vonnie Cheap Shop in Wismar.As a precautionary measure, only a few persons were allowed in at a time, which resulted in long lines of anxious shoppers, congregating in the sweltering heat. One woman declared, “We got to stock up, because we don’t know how long this thing gon last, and already you hearing about prices going up”. As if on cue, a man called John responded, “Right now, onion scarce and one business place (name provided) selling for $600 a pound! These people want kill we, but we marking them, because Corona gon done.” There were several other reports of price inflation, especially on sanitation products. Meanwhile, the curfew in that bauxite community continues, with the siren blaring at 6pm, the stipulated time for closure of all businesses.
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Monday April 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! I can remember that movie very well. I was still in primary school when it became a big international hit. I remember that time alright, because Guyana was about to celebrate Independence. The advertising poster said it all – “it’s a plot to make the world die laughing.” The film was in the comedy genre and the New York Daily News said this in its review; “You will almost die laughing but you will live to tell others.” The plot centres on a Russian submarine that hit a sandbank on the shores of New England in the US.
The locals ran all over the town shouting “the Russians are coming” Both the submarine crew and the locals who organized themselves to fight the Russians ended up creating a huge comedic theatre with one bumbling figure fighting another with only one result – hilarity. It appears that leaders in the AFC received advice from some aging diaspora financier on how to divert attention from the barefacedness of the rigged March 2020 poll. This gentleman, who is in his
eighties, was a part of the film-making crew when the movie was being made. His role was to lock-up and secure the stuff after shooting was over for the day. He left Guyana during the 1964 racial conflagration and settled in Massachusetts, where he worked as a grocery boy in a supermarket. In later life he moved to New York, where he found financial comfort in real estate. He had been a founding member of Ravi Dev’s ROAR, but when that was disbanded he moved towards the AFC and has
been a financial contributor ever since. The movie has made a lasting impression on this diaspora Guyanese, because he was on the set while the filming was done. He suggested to the AFC that an ingenious way of dissolving the negative publicity of Mingo’s dangerous public statistical masturbation was to invent the plot of Russian involvement in the election. So two AFC leaders – leader Khemraj Ramjattan and vice–chairman, Cathy Hughes – held a press conference at APNU’s campaign office, and told the Guyanese people that the Russians came, and like how the people of New England reacted, the Russians were chased out. In New England, the Russians did come, and the locals were prepared to fight them. In the end, the locals became friends with the submarine folks, and all was well that ended well. Not so in Guyana. The Russian presence never existed. What the AFC leaders were doing were dancing to that lovely Italian, evergreen melody on that ghastly ship. In the movie “Ghost Ship,” stunning Italian beauty Francesca Rettondini sang “Senza Fine”, while the guests waltzed away in each other’s arms. But Rettondini
was not a living person and the waltzing guests were dead people. The crew of Ghost Ship was looking at people who never came on the ship as guests. They were never real, living persons. The Russians never came. Airport officials said to me they never saw any Russians being escorted out of the country due to a deportation order. Immigration officials I spoke to, told me they know of no deportation of any Russians before the March 2020 election, during the voting and after. Mr. Ramjattan, Mrs Hughes and the AFC leadership lost their imagination in two movies. It is over a month since the AFC leadership told the nation that the Russians were in Guyana to tamper with the elections. Since Ramjattan and Hughes cried “the Russians are coming” we are yet to be told anything on how they planned to tamper with the voting process. But the Guyanese sense of humour has boarded a runaway train. The jokes are never-ending and rib-tickling. I am not on Facebook, but I was shown some parodies. One person spoke about the trip from Barbados to Guyana with LIAT that the Russians made. The plane almost failed to get off the ground because the boxes the Russians were
Frederick Kissoon carrying were enormously heavy. When the plane landed at Ogle, what drew the suspicion of airport officials was the number of trucks that came to pick up the stuff the Russians brought – millions of boxes. What were in those boxes? Erasers. Since Guyana does not have electronic voting and everything is manual – from voting to counting – the Russians planned to mentally paralyze the polling officials with a temporary drug. Then erase all the Xs for APNU+AFC and mark them for the PPP. The New York Daily News said that after dying with laughter, you will live to tell others. Guyanese will live to tell others what Ramjattan and Hughes told them. Go to YouTube and see Rettondini sing Senza Fine. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Trip to creek ends in tragedy as biker dies
A 33-year-old biker met his demise yesterday morning, around 08:30hrs, after he reportedly lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a Guyana Power and Light pole. The victim has been identified as Dexter Cole of Lot 30 Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD). He was a member of the Assassin Riders Motorcycle Club and a former police rank. The accident occurred at Land of Canaan Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Kaieteur News understands that the young man and other members of the motorcycle club were on their way back to the city after embarking on a riding trip to a creek on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway (EBD). However, Cole who was leading the way was navigating a turn on a bridge at Land of Canaan when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the light pole. According to sources, due to the speed he was riding at, Cole’s helmet came loose while he was navigating the turn, seconds before he went head first into the light pole.
DEAD BIKER: Dexter Cole He sustained a broken neck and had lacerations to other parts on his body. When contacted, a family member of the victim stated that Cole who joined the motorcycle club some three years ago, was known to be a very careful rider. The incident would have occurred even though
authorities announced sweeping measures last Friday to fight COVID-19, among the measures would be no congregating of large groups. Moreover, the family member also stated that the group would normally go on riding trips. Cole leaves to mourn his parents and siblings.
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Kaieteur News
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Monday April 06, 2020
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We don’t want Mingo…period! – Opposition The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is in full support of a national recount of all the votes cast in the March 2 general and regional elections. But the party is concerned that the integrity of such a process would be severely compromised if controversial Region Four’s Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, is retained in the post. PPP’s executive and former Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, spoke with reporters yesterday outside of the Kingston’s Appeals Court, making the party’s position clear. Mingo has produced two declarations for the results of the Region Four General and Regional Elections. Both instances of the declaration were marred by a lack of transparency and accusations of electoral fraud. The first occurred at the
Hadfield Street’s Ashmin’s building, which had been used as Mingo’s office. There, Mingo produced a tabulation involving a spreadsheet, which the Opposition said veered off the lawful path mandated by the Representation of the People Act for the tabulation of votes, and made a declaration which was brought hotly under contention. The law required Mingo to source all of the numbers in his tabulation from the statements of poll, they said. However, the officials entitled to observe the process did not observe him doing so for a considerable set of the results. A m b a s s a d o r s , international observers and party representatives who observed the count shared the view that the tabulation was not credible. The declaration was challenged in the courts, and
it was deemed unlawful by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire. The judge instructed Mingo to return to the tabulation process using the procedures mandated by law. As a result, the venue for the tabulation was moved to GECOM’s Kingston headquarters, where similar accusations followed/ At that location, Mingo produced statements of poll using a projector. Party representatives said that they were not afforded the opportunity to observe the security features of many of the statements of poll presented. Hence, they could not verify properly the information. Party representatives also complained that figures on the statements of poll were clearly doctored to place the vote in favour of the incumbent Coalition and thus
Appeal Court rulings clear way... From page 3 Community (CARICOM) high-level team, which should have supervised the recount. He held that the rule of law requires that the GECOM Chair and Returning Officer be treated equally. “They are both subject to judicial review in the execution of their duties.” Similarly, Dr. Scotland said that the issue of judicial review should be considered. “The Full Court just got it plainly wrong. The Court does have jurisdiction to hear the matter.” On the other hand, Trinidadian Senior Counsel, Douglas Mendes, who
appeared on behalf of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, continued to rely on Section 140 of the Representation of the People Act, which prohibits any court from enquiring into deliberations and decisions of the Commission. “As stated in Guyana’s constitution, it is an election court to hear issues concerning unlawful acts and omissions instead of it being dealt with at an intermediate stage.” Mendes had stressed too that the supervision of the process by CARICOM was the mechanism which GECOM chose to correct the
deficiencies which had been raised about the process and that arrangement would not take away from the powers of GECOM. GECOM has made a decision to conduct a recount of all the regions, starting from Region 10. Despite the countrywide restriction because of the COVID-19 pandemic, GECOM is expected to make some key decisions this week on the recount which has snarled overseas donor assistance and access to funding for the virus fight. President David Granger is without a Cabinet and holding on pending the recount.
PPP’s Executive/Candidate, Anil Nandlall return President David Granger for a second term. At times, party representatives and observers walked out of the venue during the count. This second time, Mingo made his declaration late at night, and was swept away from the compound by police immediately after. This second instance of the declarations was also deemed not credible, and this kicked off a wave of international condemnation. Political party representatives said that the numbers produced by Mingo, in both instances, did not match many of the figures on the statements of poll in their possession. While GECOM is not required to verify its statements of poll against those held by the parties, the differences were
Controversial: Clairmont Mingo
a major cause for concern. Guyana has been warned that if a government is sworn in on the basis of these flawed results, the government would not be recognised as legitimate. These warnings have come from especially Guyana’s key partners including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Both of Mingo’s declarations placed the incumbent in the lead in the General and Regional Elections. However, they were vastly different from each other. No explanation has yet been given by GECOM for this difference. Mingo had refused requests for recounts after both declarations were made, on technical grounds. This caused the Chair of
the Commission, (ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh to have to step in and advocate for a recount. All of this has made Mingo a subject of public discourse, and has caused public trust in GECOM to waver. “How can you entrust such an individual to be part of the process again?” Nandlall asked yesterday. “We are looking for a solution. Mingo is part of the problem. He must be removed completely from the exercise. That is our position.” He said that Mingo is “by no means, indispensable”. There are over scores of Deputy Returning Officers appointed in Region Four. Nandlall suggested for a Deputy Returning Officer to perform as Returning Officer, to assume Mingo’s post.
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Cliff Anderson, Ocean View Leguan NDC, businesses Hotel among facilities to be partner to combat COVID-19 Some of the sanitary used as COVID-19 centres facilities set up at
The Ocean View International Hotel, located on the Rupert Craig Highway, is one of the many buildings being scouted as facilities to treat and monitor COVID-19 patients. This was revealed by head of the National COVID-19 Task Force and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday during a virtual media briefing. Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that the COVID-19 Task Force is preparing for all possibilities and is also looking to prepare similar facilities across Guyana to treat Coronavirus patients. Taking into consideration that the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health
Organization (PAHO/WHO) projects that by early May, Guyana will be dealing with 20,000 cases of COVID-19; the Task Force acted on a suggestions for a special health facility. The Ocean View International Hotel is expected to cater for 300 critical COVID-19 patients. “The technical team of the Public Infrastructure Ministry is involved at this time…I think they have made an assessment as to the needs of the building itself…It is not mainly as quarantine but as a kind of ancillary hospital for confirmed Coronavirus cases,” the head of the Task Force said. Along with that facility, the Task Force is looking at
the former Guyana Broadcasting Corporation building located on High Street which had been deemed unsafe; the National Gymnasium and the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue. These facilities are set to cater for 1,000 Coronavirus patients. Other facilities include the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the West Demerara Regional Hospital. The Prime Minister also called on Guyanese to “mask up” as wearing the masks serves as a protective measure when persons must leave their homes and can lower their risks of contracting the Coronavirus.
various businesses and public spaces on the island of Leguan.
The business community of the small Island of Leguan has been supporting the efforts of the Neighbourhood Demorcratic Council (NDC) in the fight against COVID-19. In this regard several members of the business community have set up sanitizing facilities such as sinks and disinfecting areas at their entities. This is according to Mr. J a i n a r i n e S i n g h , Vi c e Chairman of the Leguan NDC. Speaking to this publication, Singh said,
“the NDC is limited in its resources so there is only so much we can do but businesses have been supporting our efforts by setting up sinks, etc.” He added, “we have also set up sinks at the stelling and hospital and have been doing awareness sessions informing residents of the necessary precautions and protocols.” Meanwhile, Leguan’s overseer, Tulsie Singh, pointed out that the NDC has
been working to sanitize and ensure that sanitizers are readily available for residents to use when visiting the Post Office, Police Station, Ministry Sub Offices and all Government Buildings. He noted that residents have been complying with all necessary protocols. This publication understands that a community group was also formed by residents to provide assistance and relief where possible to other residents of the Island.
Several arrested in Berbice for breaching...
The Cliff Anderson Sport Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue is being contemplated as an isolation centre by authorities as part of the preparations to fight the Coronavirus.
From page 14 yesterday no places of worship were found to be opened for service. With yesterday being Palm Sunday for Christians, the Catholic Church had opted to carry out online mass. It should be noted that although market operations were listed under essential services in the orders, the Port Mourant Market run by the Port Mourant NDC up to Saturday still remained closed until further notice. A drive through the Corentyne saw streets desolate and businesses except for supermarkets shut tight. While there were some amount of vending at the location on Saturday, the NDC has still stuck to keeping the market shut until further notice. That decision was made at the Council level on Friday following a meeting but prior to the order. The Rose Hall Town market operated until noon yesterday. The Ministry of Public Health on Friday announced a one-month lockdown effective from April 3 due to the Coronavirus threat. Only essential services will be allowed to
operate. A 6:00am - 6:00pm curfew has also been implemented. Under essential services, markets, supermarkets, fruits and vegetable stalls and neighbourhood shops, food services and restaurants are only to offer delivery, drive thru and take away services, They are to operate from 6:00 am - 5:00 pm. Under restrictions on social activities, no person shall host, attend or visit a private party; a recreational or competitive sporting event; a wedding, other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer; a banquet, ball or reception; a bar or rum shop; the seawall; a pool, creek or river; a wake or vigil; a gym etc. Persons are also ordered to be in their home by 6:00 pm. The strict measures were made pursuant to the paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement B, 16th March 2020. Taxis and minibuses are also barred from operating during the nighttime curfew.
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Mining workers opt to return home with families Persons returning to the Essequibo Coast on last Friday, before the countrywide restrictions.
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In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that persons mining in remote parts of the Essequibo are opting to return home to spend time with their families. On Friday, more than 30 miners and other workers arrived in three speedboats at the Supenaam speedboat terminal, Region Two. This publication understands that some persons travelled from as far as the Puruni Backdam, and other parts of the Mazaruni, in Region Seven. A number of the miners explained that staying away from their families in a remote location was becoming increasingly risky, especially since key ports were being closed. One miner told Kaieteur News, “Right now, some the gold operations close off, not all but some. We camp come out because we hear that things gon go on lockdown. We ain’t know how bad this thing gon get. But so far, we ain’t hear about any case in the backdam.”
There are no reported cases of the COVID-19 virus on the Essequibo Coast, and residents along with the Region Two COVID-19 Task Force said that they intend on keeping it that way. The Task Force made an abrupt decision on last
Thursday to close all speed boat operations between Supenaam and Parika. This publication understands that while operations were supposedly closed from Supenaam, there were still boats coming in from Parika.
“It ain’t make sense they close down Supenaam and persons still coming in and they can’t screen the persons.” It is the opinion of residents that screening should be implemented at the Supenaam ports, for persons travelling via the ferries.
COVID-19 test results go straight to Volda Lawrence from lab
When COVID-19 tests are conducted, doctors and nurses would be forced to wait for sometimes days before they are given the results. This delay is due to the fact that the test results move straight from the lab to former Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, and her “relevant heads”. Amid several complaints and concerns by those in the medical profession, Minister Lawrence confirmed this on Saturday last during a virtual press conference. Minister Lawrence stated
Former Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence that “information from the lab is sent to her and relevant heads.” “When the report is received, it is embargoed to the public…persons who do not have anything to do with the response to COVID.” The Minister explained that this route is taken because of a previous incident where a patient’s information was made public without them knowing. “Information was released without the patient’s knowing the status and the family members not having been informed about it directly but learning about it via social media.” The Minister has come under heavy criticism for the method used- by many in the medical field including former Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy along with Dr. Vindhya Persaud, a former Parliamentarian for the Opposition. The issue was raised by Dr. Persaud who took to her
Facebook page after receiving a string of complaints from a few doctors and nurses. Dr. Persaud stated that “the disturbing situation has worsened; doctors are not been given test results as they become available through the lab.” In her statement, Dr. Persaud said that the “clamp down attitude is endangering healthcare workers and delaying the care that patients may need based on test results.” “Time is going and we are all seeing videos and statements from sick patients who need to be tested to the necessary flow from test to treatment to contact tracking and isolation, quarantine or treatment could be done.” This she said, “is how you flatten the curve at that level.” Meanwhile, Ramsammy stressed that “COVID -19 testing is a diagnostic testing. Doctors must determine who should be tested, when and results should go to the requesting doctor.”
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Liverpool blasted over virus furlough, players in £200m wage cut warning AFP - Liverpool were accused of betraying their “morals and values” on Saturday for their move to furlough non-playing staff during the coronavirus pandemic as Premier League stars warned of a £200 million ($245 million) shortfall in government coffers if 30 percent wage cuts were introduced. Premier League leaders Liverpool said they would top up the public money made available from the government to ensure staff on temporary leave received their full salaries. It follows similar moves by Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich to take advantage of the scheme, under which employers can claim for 80 percent of furloughed employees’ wages. But former Reds players Jamie Carragher and Stan
Collymore strongly criticised the move by the European champions, who in February announced pre-tax profits of £42 million ($51 million) for 2018/19. “(Manager) Jurgen Klopp showed compassion for all at the start of this pandemic, senior players heavily involved in @premierleague players taking wage cuts. Then all that respect & goodwill is lost, poor this @LFC,” tweeted Carragher. Collymore was even more forthright, tweeting: “I don’t know of any Liverpool fan of any standing that won’t be anything other than disgusted at the club for furloughing staff.” Another former Anfield star, Germany’s Dietmar Hamann tweeted: “Astonished by the news that @LFC takes advantage of the fur-
Liverpool are 25 points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. (AFP/File / Paul Ellis) lough scheme to claim 80% of non-playing staff wages back off the government.“That’s not what the scheme was designed for. Contrary to the morals and values of the club I got to know.”Liverpool said staff would be paid 100 percent of their salaries to ensure
Monday April 06, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A rather disconcerting rumor about your job could reach your ears, Aries. Perhaps you'll hear that the company is being sold or undergoing a shakeup in the hierarchy. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A number of great ideas either for new creative projects or enhancing ongoing ones could pop into your head during the day, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A person with whom you work, probably a woman, could leave suddenly without notice or stated reason, Gemini. This could be confusing, and you might find yourself wondering if there are changes within the company that you know nothing about. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Someone you've wanted to hear from for a long time, perhaps an old friend who lives far away, could ring you up today while you're out, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A rather upsetting dream could disturb your sleep tonight, Leo. Nonetheless, write it down. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A colleague or possibly a romantic partner could be in a rather touchy mood today, Virgo. Therefore, you might find this person difficult to deal with.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You tend to be very intuitive, Libra, but today you could find your psychic abilities short-circuit. If you give readings, don't schedule any for today. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some rather upsetting news about a friend could come to you today, Scorpio, probably over the phone. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you could receive a lucky career break of some kind that brings some extra money your way, Sagittarius. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) An unexpected visit from someone who lives far away is likely to throw your schedule off kilter, Capricorn. Even though you'll be glad to see your friend, the visit could require a lot of calls to break appointments and postpone meetings. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) An unexpected financial setback could have you reeling at first, Aquarius. Perhaps an emergency, such as a toothache or car breakdown, requires a substantial expenditure that you hadn't planned for. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You could be feeling restless and frustrated due to a temporary separation from a partner, Pisces, perhaps a business partner but more likely a romantic one.
nobody was financially disadvantaged.A statement from the club said: “Even prior to the decision on staff furloughing, there was a collective commitment at senior levels of the club — on and off the pitch — with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis.” - ‘Effect on Health Service’ Meanwhile, the Professional Footballers’ Association warned of a £200 million shortfall in British govern-
ment tax revenues if a 30% pay cut was introduced for players.“All Premier League players want to, and will, play their part in making significant financial contributions in these unprecedented times,” said a PFA statement after a meeting with the Premier League. “We welcomed the opportunity to discuss this and we are happy to continue talks.” However, the PFA insisted it was too simplistic to criticise multi-millionaire players for not easily agreeing to salary cuts.“The proposed 30 percent salary deduction over a 12-month period equates to over £500m in wage reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over £200m to the government,” the PFA statement added.“What effect does this loss of earning to the government mean for the National Health Service?” The Premier League has been seen as lagging behind other European leagues in its response to coronavirus and was accused by one British lawmaker of operating in a “moral vacuum”.In Spain,
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have already agreed to pay cuts of 70% while the stars of Italian champions Juventus will be paid a reduced amount for the next four months.England defender Danny Rose, on loan at Newcastle from Tottenham, told the BBC players were “keen to make something happen”. “I can only speak for myself but I would have no problems whatsoever contributing some of my wages to people who are fighting this on the front line and to people who have been affected by what’s happening at the minute,” he said.On Friday, a hospital in London identified Rose as the individual behind a £19,000 donation.Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has led talks between Premier League club captains over what action they could take, a move that began before Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Thursday joined those singling out footballers. “It was just not needed for people who are not involved in football to tell footballers what they should do with their money,” added Rose.“I found that so bizarre.” - ‘Safe and appropriate’ Burnley issued a stark warning on Saturday about the potential financial fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, claiming they would face a shortfall of up to £50 million ($61 million) if it were not possible to complete the season.The English top-flight said on Friday the 2019/20 season would only return when it was “safe and appropriate to do so”. The league agreed to provide a £125 million fund for the English Football League and National League and pledged £20 million in charitable support for the National Health Service and other groups.
Exclusive: FIFA ...
From page 25 ‘suspended’ during any suspension of competitions provided proper insurance coverage is maintained, and adequate alternative income support arrangements can be found for employees during the period in question.” The group agreed that transfer windows should be adjusted to reflect the changed dates of seasons, with priority given to teams finishing the current season with their existing squad. FIFA has also ruled that planned new restrictions on loan deals will not come into effect until the end of the current period of uncertainty surrounding the game due to the pandemic.
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JFF keeping Reggae Boyz ready Lavillenie claims ‘international home containment’ title despite COVID-19 disruption Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica’s Football Federation has devised programmes for its players to ensure they remain in shape, as the regional and international calendar remains on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.The governing body’s president, Michael Ricketts, said there had been coordination between trainers and head coach Theodore Whitmore on developing plans for players.“Our technical team has been having constant meetings. The last one was last week Thursday, and they have been looking at ways and means, keeping players fit,” Ricketts told the Gleaner newspaper here. “So the physical trainers – Jason Henry and Lamar Morgan – along with coach Theodore Whitmore, have worked out a programme for the locally based players in order to keep them ready. “We are just hoping that when CONCACAF give us the green light, we will be in a position to hit the track running.” CONCACAF, the continental governing
body for football in the hemisphere, has been forced to postpone several tournaments due to the threat of COVID-19, leaving the Caribbean without any ongoing tournaments. The first and second rounds of the Nations League have already been scrapped along with the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the Caribbean Club Championship and Club Shield. Of importance are the qualifiers for the 2020 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which are set for late August and early September. Ricketts said while the future remained unclear because of the virus outbreak, it was important the JFF kept the national side at the ready.“There are great levels of uncertainty, and nobody knows what will happen. It all depends on how best the virus is brought under control,” he said.“We have not heard from CONCACAF as it relates to the World Cup qualifiers, which are scheduled for late August, but we want to ensure that we are ready if we are called upon.”
PARIS (Reuters) France’s former Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie has found a way to keep his competitive juices flowing during the coronavirus lockdown by staging an “international home containment competition”. While some elite athletes have been struggling to find ways of staying fit while confined to their homes, the 33year-old former world record holder has taken full advantage of the jumping set-up at his home in central France. Lavillenie, who won Olympic gold in London and silver in Rio, posted a video on Twitter of one jump on Saturday, when he raced down the garden path and soared 5.61 metres into the bright blue skies above Pérignat-lèsSarliève in Auvergne. “Day 20,” he wrote above the video, which was accompanied by his own commentary. “Everything is under control! Tears of joy on my face after a 5m61 today during my international home containment competition.” Although the mark was well short of the 6.16m he jumped to end Sergey Bubka’s 20-year hold on the world record in 2014, it would have been good enough for
eighth on the outdoor world list for 2020, albeit in a season which barely got underway.Lavillenie also revealed that he was closing in on his “home world record” of 5.85m.During his 20 days of self-isolation, Lavillenie has been regularly posting updates of creative efforts to stay fit, including benchpressing a toddler and weightlifting using car tyres. Lavillenie will have to wait another year for a third bid at
Olympic glory after the Tokyo 2020 Games were put back by 12 months because of the COVID-19 outbreak, which by Saturday had infected nearly 90,000 and killed 7,560 people in France.In 2021 he will likely have to contend with Swede Armand Duplantis, who bettered Lavillenie’s world record by a centimetre indoors in February before improving it to 6.18m at the World Athletics Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix a week later.
Indies U-19 pair of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer in addition to Kemo Paul and Kemol Savory. That year Guyana was the only team that played unbeaten throughout both competitions to win both titles in the same year for the first time as they dethroned double defending champions Jamaica. Smith said he has a lot of favorite cricketers but no one specific, he just loves to see the game of cricket played in a thrilling and exciting way. However, his favorite way of dismissing a batsman is by scattering their stumps, while his favorite food is beef, chicken or fish Curry. “Well, batting, I don’t do so much work as bowling, I focus more on bowling. But batting is key and whenever I get my chance I know I could handle myself with the bat at any point. My goal is to play cricket at the highest level for as long as possible and to let everyone love me for what I do and to entertain my fans,” disclosed Smith who enjoys playing video games, watching movies and playing pools.
Smith, who has the potential, if handled correctly, to become one of the quickest fast bowlers in the Region, says not much people have helped him in a major way apart from his dad and former Chairman of the Berbice Cricket Board and the Guyana Cricket Board, Carl Moore. “No doubt about these two and you know Mr Moore always keep encouraging me at a young age to keep playing. He kept telling me that I have the talent….and look where I am today so I’ll like to thank them both and to everyone who has given me advice and words of encouragement outside of cricket,” said Smith. Smith also spoke about how Berbice and in particularly New Amsterdam has been affected by the dreaded COVID-19 Virus. The Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam last week Sunday ordered a total lockdown of businesses and religious services in that East Berbice town in order to curtail the spreading of the deadly virus.
Residents are asked to be indoors by 7pm and the Town Council said, “...failure to comply with the new guidelines, the Guyana Police Force will be informed, to take necessary action.” “Well its affected Berbice badly, nobody expected this and it was all so sudden. Now everyone has to stay at home because of the social gathering rule. The people can’t go out together or anything so, I know a lot of people probably at home sick but we all hope this will end as soon as possible. I just want to tell everyone to stay at home and help fight this virus, let’s do what’s right and keep our hands clean by washing them steady and let’s fight this together as one,” Smith implored.Asked how he was staying in shape for whenever cricket resumes? “Well I got some personal programmes the (Guyana Jaguars) physio and trainer Neil Barry send for me to do at home, so I’m staying in shape during this crisis,” answered Smith.
France’s Renaud Lavillenie in action at the World Athletics Championships Men’s Pole Vault Qualification at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar. (REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel)
Nial Smith is one to watch as he climbs the ladder in Windies cricket Says Berbice hit hard by COVID-19 By Sean Devers After an inauspicious start to his senior career in November in Trinidad when just managed one wicket from two matches in the 2019 Regional Super50 at an average of 97.00, the genuinely quick Nial Smith made his FirstClass debut against the Leewards in January in Antigua and captured 20 wickets from seven matches at an Average of 29.30 with two five-wicket hauls including a best of 6-55 in his first outing at this level. This was after the 24-yearold was surpringliny dropped from the Squad for the last game against Barbados at Providence but he still able the catch the attention of Chairman of the Cricket West Indies selectors Roger Harper. Smith, who was born on October 22, 1995 in New Amsterdam, Guyana’s oldest town; gained his senior Limited overs pick on the back of devastating bowling in CGI’s 50-over Franchise league in which only West Indies pacer Ronsford Beaton bowled
faster that the son of former National Coach Albert Smith and Tracey Maria Cameron. Young Nial Smith started well said Harper, while Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon described the former All Saints Primary School and the Canje Secondary School student as someone who works hard and has a far way to go. “Well, knowing where I was and to how I did starting my career, I am satisfied. But yeah, I felt I could have done a little better but I just need to work more on my fitness and to become stronger. What I have learnt from playing first class cricket is that it’s not easy and you have to keep a strong mind and keep building on that and it’s all about patience, so eventually it will become easy,” said Smith whose most memorable game was his First-Class debut when he took eight wickets and the Man-of-theMatch award. “The reason why I think I did so well was because I was training very hard after the super50 tournament, so I was
preparing my body and mind for this first class season. I think that was something I didn’t do going into the super50. So as you go along you keep learning from your mistakes and become better in every aspect of your game,” informed the highly talented Smith. Young Smith’s life growing up in Guyana’s second largest County was similar to boys his age. “I played a lot in School on the Streets so my life growing up was pretty much normal. My dad always took me to see Regional cricket so I got the chance of being around the famous cricketers and so I wanted to start playing, but my grandmother didn’t want me to play because of school. So I had to get away to go cricket in the evenings and that’s how I first started playing cricket,” Smith said with a chuckle. Smith, who plays for Tucber Park, made his Berbice U-19 debut in 2014 before making his Regional U-19 debut the same year in a team which included the West
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Najjar gives TTFA challenge little Kyle Walker faces Man City probe after flouting virus lockdown chance of success PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Former Trinidad and Tobago head coach, Dr Hannibal Najjar, has held out little hope for the Trinidad and Tobago FA’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for sport, against FIFA’s sudden takeover of the organisation. “I don’t think they have a chance in hell or heaven to be represented because I don’t think we’ve gotten ourselves strong enough,” Dr Najjar told CNC3 TV here. “They don’t have enough experience in them and enough contacts to see who they would be able to call to get some kind of assistance on what they could do. “To come in and move them out in the first place … means they were the wrong choice. You never thought they would’ve won.” In a sudden move last month, football’s governing body announced it was replacing the William Wallace-led TTFA executive with a normalisation committee, just four months after being elected. This followed an assessment of the TTFA finances carried out by FIFA which revealed “extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with a massive debt”. With the TTFA “facing a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity”, FIFA said it would take charge of the daily operations of the organisation for the next two years so that “corrective measures [could] be applied urgently”. However, Wallace pushed back against the decision, announcing the TTFA had retained legal counsel and would “oppose FIFA’s injustice” at the CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Former national coach Dr Hannibal Najjar. Dr Najjar, who led T&T in a handful of matches before quitting in 2003, said he had been left “traumatized” by FIFA’s actions. “It’s a mess, not only the last few weeks, but it (TTFA) has been running as a messy affair for the last few years,” said Dr Najjar. “But over the last few weeks given what I’ve seen, heard, understood, didn’t understand but estimated from my own judgement … like the current regime that has been ousted, I’m somewhat traumatized by the quick action and I think maybe hasty assessment of whatever it is that made them (FIFA) feel that they could come in and normalise things.” Last month, Caribbean Football Union boss, Randy Harris, said the TTFA challenge at the level of CAS would be “very difficult to win”.
Burnley could run out of money by August, says chairman General view inside the stadium before a match. (REUTERS/Phil Noble)
(Reuters) - Premier League Burnley could run out of money by August if the season does not resume by then, club chairman Mike Garlick said on Saturday, three weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a suspension.In a statement on their website Burnley said they stood to lose up to 50 million pounds in revenue if the Premier League was not completed. On Friday the Premier League said the current campaign had been postponed indefinitely and would only resume when it is “safe and appropriate to do so”. “The fact of the matter is if we don’t finish this season and there isn’t a clear start date for next season we as a
club will run out of money by August, that’s a fact,” Garlick told Sky Sports. “I can’t speak for other clubs. “That’s why we are very, very determined that when it’s safe to do so we really do want to finish this season“Finishing the season is the only real outcome for all the Premier League clubs.”Burnley expect to lose five million pounds in matchday revenue as their remaining home games will likely be played behind closed doors should the league resume. In addition, if the season is cancelled altogether, the club will miss out on 45 million pounds in “broadcasting revenue and other items”, Burnley said in a statement on their website.
“It’s a completely unprecedented situation that we and other Premier League clubs face and which we could not have foreseen in any way only just a few weeks ago,” Garlick said.“It’s now not just about Burnley or any other individual club anymore, it’s about the whole football ecosystem from the Premier League downwards and all the other businesses and communities that feed from that ecosystem.” Burnley said they were releasing the figures to be “transparent with supporters, staff and stakeholders”. The country’s soccer authorities were in talks on Saturday to discuss a proposed 30% reduction in players’ wages.
AFP - Kyle Walker is facing disciplinary action from Manchester City despite apologising after breaching coronavirus lockdown conditions even though he advised people to stay at home. The England defender has said sorry after it was widely reported he held a party at his home last week, breaking the government’s rules on social distancing“I understand that my position as a professional footballer brings the responsibility of being a role model,” Walker said in a statement. “As such, I want to apologise to my family, friends, football club, supporters and the public for letting them down.” “There are heroes out there making a vital difference to society at the moment, and I have been keen to help support and highlight their amazing sacrifices and life-saving work over the past week.” Walker is the second high-profile Premier League player to have been caught flouting the government’s guidelines after Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.The Villa captain went to a party last weekend and was pictured next to a
Kyle Walker faces disciplinary action from Manchester City after flouting coronavirus lockdown rules. (AFP/File / Oli Scarff)
road in slippers, just hours after he posted a video urging fans to stay safe at home on social media.Football is on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak and City will now look into Walker’s conduct.A club statement said: “Our staff and players have been working to support the incredible efforts of the NHS (National Health Service) and other key
workers in fighting the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus in any way we can. Kyle’s actions in this matter have directly contravened these efforts.“We are disappointed to hear the allegations, note Kyle’s swift statement and apology, and will be conducting an internal disciplinary procedure in the coming days.”
Ducati offers radical solution to MotoGP 2020 calendar problem Autosport - Ducati believes it will be difficult to find 10 countries able to host a race this season due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has offered up a radical alternate solution. The opening six round of the 2020 MotoGP campaign have been either postponed or cancelled, with the originally scheduled seventh and eighth rounds at Mugello and Barcelona highly likely to follow suit. In a recent interview with Spanish media, Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said he’d be “delighted” if MotoGP could have a 10-round championship later in the year. However, Ducati boss Paolo Ciabatti says this is optimistic, and thinks a better solution would be to find five countries and host multiple races there. “We believe that it will not be easy to find 10 countries where [MotoGP] is allowed to run under more or less normal conditions,” Ciabatti told Autosport. “A possible solution would be to try and find five, for example, and contest two grands prix there in 10 days. “For example, if there comes a time when we can go to Sepang - to name a cir-
Ducati offers radical solution to calendar problem.
cuit - maybe we could stay there for 10 days and run two consecutive weekends. “With the current scenario, it is best to analyse the situation from a realistic perspective to try to overcome this emergency. “The better times will come.” Dorna and governing body the FIM have previously mooted the idea of running two races at the same circuit, though doing so on the same weekend. Ciabatti’s idea comes with a practical benefit of also cutting down on the
cost of freight. The Ducati boss is also not ruling out the possibility that there will be no World Championship this year, and thinks it would “not be responsible” to think otherwise. “As a team and as a company, as far as possible, we have to try to anticipate what may happen,” he added. “And although it is obviously not what we want, not also considering the possibility that there is no World Championship would not be a responsible attitude on our part.”
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Monday April 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Port Kaituma Football Foundation - working to develop sports in Region One By Zaheer Mohamed Port Kaituma Football Foundation (PKFF) is one of the leading sports organisations in Region One. The body was formed in 2009 with the aim of developing sports in the area. Its Director Ronaldo Rodrigues said there is a lot of potential there and with more exposure the athletes can go places. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport Saturday, Rodrigues said they usually host an Easter weekend tournament, but due to the Coronavirus outbreak it had to be postponed. “We have been hosting this tournament for 11 years now, but it had to be put on hold. Apart from our senior tournaments (male and female), also on our calendar of activities are an all-female and schools tournament which we usually host in the latter stages of the year,” he added. According to Rodrigues these tournaments help to bring the people together and unearth new talent. “We get a lot of support from the people here; they usually come out in their numbers and support the games. The players do look forward to these games as well, and from time to time we would see some new talents emerging.” The clubs that participate in the senior tournaments are Martarkai SC, Matthews Ridge FC, Arakaka FC, Sebai Invincible Talons, Port
Kaituma United, Fitzburg FC, Five Star, Oronoque FC and Mabaruma FC. Rodrigues said they will be looking to expand on these competitions when the season resumes and thanked the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for their assistance in helping to develop the game there. “We received some assistance from the GFF in the form of coaching and refereeing programmes. With this, each club can have a qualified coach which will boost the game here, while having our own referees will be an advantage for us since it costs a lot to bring referees from Georgetown. We are also working with the GFF to host a coaching clinic for the youths here sometime in the future.” “We have seen the growth of the sport here, the youths placed a lot of emphasis on their training and we would like to see their continuous development, and has such plans to stage an U16 and schools’ tournaments later in the year are in the pipeline.” With regards to sponsorship for tournaments, Rodrigues stated that they have been getting a lot of help in this area. “While we would host fund raising activities from time to time, a number of businesses would also lend their support including Banks DIH, Import and Export Supply and GBTI; the GFF would
Michelle Campbelle also assist, so this area is ok, but we would welcome anyone who wants to come on board.” While there have been a lot of positives, there are also a number of challenges that the committee is faced with. Among them is the state of the facilities there. Rodrigues said that the Port Kaituma community ground is under the supervision of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), but it is usually in a poor state. “The PKFF would cut the ground when there is a tournament and yet we have to pay the NDC $30,000 to use the facility for each competition. We also repaired the fence with assistance from the Central Government in February last.” Rodrigues informed that along with the Central Government, they will be looking
Sherlon Rodrigues to install lights at the venue so games can be played in the nights which will help to runoff tournaments in a timely manner. Other grounds in the area are; Port Kaituma Secondary School ground, Oronoque and four-mile, but they all need to be upgraded. He said that the PKFF can fund the cost for some of the works, but needs assistance from the Government. Apart from football, Rodrigues indicated that cricket is a major sport there. ‘The people here love cricket,
Ronaldo Rodrigues
but we need some assistance in this area with gears and pitches. I am hoping that the Essequibo Cricket Board and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) can assist in this area to help with the develop of the game here.” Only recently, two players with great potential from region one; brothers Bruce and Nicko Vincent, represented Essequibo in the GCB U15 and U17 inter county tournaments. They are now members of the Imam Bacchus Cricket Club on the Essequibo Coast.
Region one has also been giving a good account of themselves in swimming, having placed runner up for a number of years at the National Schools’ championships. Port Kaituma United won the Heritage games male football tournament is 2017 and reached the final four in 2018 and 2019. Apart from Rodrigues, other members of the organisation are Michelle Campbelle Secretary, Glenroy Hercules Marketing Manager and Sherlon Rodrigues Public Relations Officer.
Bulgarian Pulev to donate half of Joshua fight money to coronavirus medics
Liverpool furlough non-playing staff amid COVID-19 pandemic (Reuters) - Premier League leaders Liverpool have furloughed some of their non-playing staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are holding talks about the prospect of salary deductions for players and senior staff, the club said Saturday. Liverpool added on their website that the furloughed staff would continue to receive 100% of their salaries. Several English top-flight clubs, such as Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and Newcastle United, have already put non-playing staff on furlough, with football’s return in England contingent on medical guidance and government support. “Liverpool FC has placed some staff who are impacted by the Premier League suspension on furlough,” the European champions said in a statement. “The club has confirmed those staff will be paid 100% of their salaries to ensure no
General view of the Liverpool logo on Anfield. (Action Images via Reuters/ Jason Cairnduff) member of staff is financially disadvantaged.” Furloughed British workers can claim 80% of their wages up to 2,500 pounds ($3,065) per month as part of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which means Liverpool will top up the remaining 20% of salaries for its furloughed staff.The Premier League said on Friday its clubs would consult with their players over a proposed 30% reduction in wages.Liverpool said salary deductions were
being discussed and there was “a collective commitment at senior levels of the club” to secure jobs for employees. “These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing,” the club added.The United Kingdom’s hospital death toll from the coronavirus rose by 20% to 4,313 at 1600 GMT on April 3, the health ministry said yesterday.As of 0800 GMT on April 4, a total of 183,190 people had been tested of which 41,903 were positive.
Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev pose with promoter Eddie Hearn during a press conference. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo) (Reuters) - The IBF’s mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev said he will donate half of his purse from the world heavyweight title fight against Briton Anthony Joshua to help medical workers fight the “devilish” coronavirus. The 38-year-old Bulgarian is expected to earn around $5 million from the fight, which has been postponed due to the pandemic, having originally been scheduled for June 20 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. “I will donate 50% of the money I earn from the match with Joshua to the tireless heroes in the fight against the coronavirus,” Pulev told German daily Bild yesterday.
“I will give doctors, nurses and hospitals the necessary equipment to deal with this devilish virus.”Last month Pulev said the fight would take place “toward the end of the year” due to the outbreak and that he would have no problem fighting without spectators in attendance.Pulev, one of Bulgaria’s most popular sportsmen, had previously challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014 but lost to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg when he was knocked out in the fifth round. The 30-year-old Joshua reclaimed the WBA, WBO and IBF belts with a unanimous points win over Andy Ruiz Jr in December.
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Kaieteur News
Monday April 06, 2020
Exclusive: FIFA draws up guidelines to tackle pay-cut complaints MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - FIFA is getting ready to deal with complaints and appeals over wage cuts for players, producing guidelines for clubs and football bodies looking to cut costs during the stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, an internal document seen by Reuters showed. The issue of pay cuts for players has exploded as a major controversy in England while in other countries, such as Germany and Spain, players have accepted temporary reductions in earnings. With football halted across the globe, however, FIFA is aware that it may well have to deal with a series of different agreements and possible complaints, and its guidelines urge any cuts to be “proportionate”. F I FA’s C o r o n a v i r u s working group met last week and agreed on a wide range of issues, summarised in the document, including that player contracts due to run
out in June should be extended to the end of any resumed season. The internal paper notes that such decisions will inevitably reflect national law and specific agreements in each country but says it is keen to avoid large discrepancies between similar leagues and clubs. It also urges clubs, leagues and players to reach “appropriate collective agreements”. The guiding principles behind such deals should be to “guarantee some form of salary payment to players and coaches, avoid litigation, protect contractual stability, and ensure clubs do not go bankrupt, while considering the financial impact of COVID-19 on clubs”. Crucially, the document states that where clubs and employees cannot reach agreement and where “national law does not address the situation or collective agreements are not applicable”, unilateral decisions to change contracts “will only be recognised when they are otherwise
GFF releases monthly news bulletin
T
he Guyana Football Federation has issued its first in a series of monthly bulletins featuring the work of the organization; the first edition captured highlights of the January – February period. This initiative, according to President Wayne Forde, is a critical part of the Executive Committee’s commitment to “strengthen communications across the membership and stakeholders” and for “open, transparent and timely information sharing.” Among the areas covered in the first edition are those related to the key development pillars of the GFF Strategic Plan 2017–2021: Finding Our Focus i n c l u d i n g Te c h n i c a l Development, Competitions, Governance and Member Associations and Football Administration. It features capacity building initiatives including the refreshers training for GFF Academy Training Centres-aligned coaches, coaches’ training in Region 1 and Concacaf Executive Mentorship programme. It also highlights the performance of our U20 men and women national teams who recently realized creditable performances in their
Wayne Forde GFF President respective Concacaf tournaments. Also included are other competitions held during the period including the GFFAlways Championship Cup. It also featured the Members Financial Support Programme and an update of construction works being done at the GFF Training Centre, Providence. “ T h e G F F ’s m o n t h l y newsletter sets out to highlight those activities, projects, events and programmes that punctuate the strategic journey of the football fraternity,” Forde wrote in the Foreward. “It will attempt to bring to life the meaningful work that is taking place throughout the fraternity, driven by our coaches, volunteers, officials and partners, that oftentimes goes unnoticed.”The edition can be viewed by this link: https://www.guyanafootball.or g/extra-time-jan-feb-2020edition/.
The logo of FIFA is seen in front of its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland September 26, 2017. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann) deemed reasonable” by FIFA’s Dispute Resolutions Chamber or Players Status Committee.A “reasonable” contractual change will take
into account the economic situation of a club, the proportionality of any salary amendment and the net income of the employee after
that amendment, FIFA writes in the document. FIFA will also take into account whether the decision applies to the entire squad or only specific employees, and whether the club attempted in good faith to reach a mutual agreement with its e m p l o y e e s . T h e F I FA document summarising the working group’s views will be submitted to the Bureau of the FIFA Council for approval.A FIFA spokesman said it was not in a position to comment as a proposal was being made to the Council,
and “we cannot pre-empt that decision”.The coronavirus working group is composed of representatives from across the game including the FIFA administration, confederations, national federations, the European Club Association (ECA), players union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Forum. The group also offered an alternative approach in which “all agreements between clubs and employees should be (Continued on page 21)
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Nial Smith is one to watch as he climbs the ladder in Says Berbice hit Windies cricket hard by COVID-19
The lively Nial Smith traps Joshua DaSilva LBW at Providence to capture his 2nd five-wicket haul in three matches.
Port Kaituma Football Foundation - working to develop sports in Region one
Port Kaituma Football team that won the Heritage games in 2017.
Exclusive: FIFA draws up guidelines
to tackle pay-cut complaints
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